National ID Consultations Begin, Belize City Up Next

The Government of Belize is moving full speed ahead with its National ID plan. It held its first public consultation on Thursday evening in Orange Walk Town, which kicked off what they say is a nationwide effort to get Belizeans involved in shaping the system and gathering feedback on the proposed system.

On paper, the plan is simple: one secure ID, easier access to services like online services, and a push towards a more digital Belize. The Ministry of E-Governance says the bill will create a unified identity framework and strengthen data protection.

The proposal includes biometric features, which authorities say are “not new to Belizeans,” adding, “Biometric verification is already widely used across everyday services and systems in the country, including identity checks and access controls in various sectors.”

Still, concerns about privacy and how much personal data will be collected are front and centre.

During the livestream, CEO Jose Urbina addressed that directly. “We’ve heard so many rumours and misinformation out there as it relates to the National ID, and it creates fear, and I am hopeful that those same individuals are watching this live,” he said.

Urbina said the shift is necessary as Belize continues moving services online. “While it might not be all of us that are fearful for change, and there are some of us that want to adapt, we need to realise that we need something like the National ID to be able to do online transactions.”

Officials maintain the system will give users more control over personal information.

The public consultation continues today in Belize City at 5:30 p.m.