As soon as the local banks here started the push of 'you'll be locked out of your account if you dont activate our App' I switched to a dumb-phone. Tech has turned against us, and as a developer I feel very sad about that.

I strongly believe that a smart-phone should not be a requirement to partake in society.

Something as basic and important as a passport should not be entrusted to these ad-phones. Same with the push for smart-phone fintech / digital currency, or card-only retail. The 'easy option' seems to cost us more and more freedoms.

'This app requires permission to access your passport details. This is only to confirm your date of birth, and thus your eligibility to access the ad infested internet'

Having ranted about all that, I have to say that requesting a new UK passport last month was The best website experience I have had in a very long time. Simple UI, clear process, and worked perfectly without needing the latest nightly build of whatever new browser API / GB framework is the monthly fad. Just a shame it is quite ugly compared to the previous European one.