A social credit score that affects not only how other people interact with you, but also what services you have access to is too far-fetched, right? Not for China, which makes a utopian idea a reality.
The Chinese social credit system has already been implemented in a number of regions of the country. The city of Hangzhou adopted a version earlier this year that encouraged positive behavior such as volunteering. And punishment for traffic violations and other behavior that is considered negative.
As a result, millions of people in Hangzhou and other cities have already suffered from their negative personal score. According to the National Development and Reform Commission, "citizens with bad credit in China" have been denied more than 11 million air travel and 4 million high-speed train trips.
Even more frightening is China's plan for its capital. An ambitious social credit system is expected to be operational in Beijing by 2020. It's a lifetime points program based on social action that all of the capital's 22 million residents must enroll in. A low rating will result in a number of restrictions for a resident in Beijing and they will be "unable to take a single step", according to the new government plan. These restrictions include the ability to start a business, take out a bank loan, slower Internet speeds, reduced access to good schools for individuals or their children, bans on certain jobs, prohibitions on booking rooms at certain hotels, loss of the right to own pets, and even denial of certain government services.
In addition, social profiles of citizens will be based on data from government and other agencies. Beijing's new reality encourages total surveillance, control and data collection. It is expected to involve not only government departments, but also travel companies, private enterprises and even transport companies in cooperation. Smartphones are also likely to play a role, given that SIM cards are sold through ID cards.
Infractions that can lead to a low social rating include smoking in non-smoking areas, buying too many video games and posting fake news online.
China is steadily moving towards becoming a real Orwellian state.
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