[closeparen]

We’d need a stronger government-backed identity/authentication scheme to replace it, which civil liberties groups like EFF vehemently oppose.

[tokyodude]

do we need government backed id? is there no other solution?

[closeparen]

As long as there are property rights, contracts, and taxes, yes. Whatever the courts accept as proof that you own an asset or owe a debt is government backed ID. We only choose the quality and security properties of that system.