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Week 12 [18.06-24.06.2018] China's Social Credit System


By 2020 Chinese Government has vowed to roll out the national social credit system. The program was announced in 2014 and has been rapidly implemented and piloted for millions of people already. Right now, it’s mostly run by private tech companies with platforms that hold personal data. But also sometimes by city councils. One such an example would be a city of Rongcheng where every citizen is assigned 1000 points at the beginning. He or she receives penalty points for breaking laws and regulations. While being rewarded for exceptional good behavior. For example, for traffic ticket you lose five points. Earn a city-level award, such as for committing a heroic act, doing exemplary business, or helping your family in unusual tough circumstances, and your score get boosted by 30 points. You can also earn credit by donating to charity or volunteering in the city’s program. Depending on residents score they can rip various benefits such as being able to rent public bikes without paying a deposit and riding them for free for an hour and half or receiving $50 heating discount every winter and obtaining advantageous terms on bank loans. In the case of Rongcheng it’s precise in its punishment and generous in its reward. It deducts points only for breaking the law. Other implementations of this program are sometimes more vague. And rely on unspecified parameters.
The program will be made out of schemas of various sizes and reaches, run by cities, government ministries, online payment providers, down to neighborhoods, libraries and businesses. How exactly will it work and how interconnected will it be is unknown. Most controversial example of program so far is blacklist of 170,000 defaulters who are barred from buying high-speed train or airplane tickets or staying in luxury hotels as a means to pressure them to repay their debts. Another example would be the credit system in Alipay, most popular payment method, that decides your score based on what it deems proper behavior. For example, buying diapers as opposed to buying a lot of video games, which may be counted against you.
Despite the Orwellian appearance of the system, and being called “chilling” by Human’s Rights Watch, some citizens claim it’s making them a better people already. Some that their quality of life has increased. They don’t see any downsides to the program and have no privacy-related concerns. The government has learned what is palatable to the public and proceeds cautiously with implementation of the program.

Interviews with random Chinese people:


Questions:
1. Would you like to see this kind of program implemented where you live or perhaps variant of it? If so in what form?
2. What are possible downsides to such system you can think of? What about advantages, and would they be worth it?
3. Can you think of something that resembles, even tiny bit, this program in a place where you live? What is it?

Sources:


Comments

I believe in this program and i hope we will see it would be implemented in few years. I would like to see it in a way you describe it above (points,penalties and etc.). The main disadvantage of this system is about people who would not believe it. I know that all of people would say, a lot of people would lie and try to cheat. I can't even image any resemble characteristic that i can apply in my place where i live, but if you are really interested in, you can check google for more information.
Unknown said…
I didn’t intend to present this idea in overly positive light. I wouldn’t necessarily like to see this idea being implemented here in Poland. it’s just that I see some merits to the system and think that would be interesting to see how it works in practice. Corruption is an interesting aspect you’ve brought up. From the looks of it China is probably also suffering from non-democratic governance. Although probably less than Ukraine right now. I’m assuming that’s what you meant by the place you live.
Iman Masjedi said…
In my opinion, photography by mobile cameras today is very popular. However, professional photo cameras still have their place in the market.
In my opinion, in the future, two things are becoming more important in mobiles, mobile battery technology, and bringing camera quality closer to real life.
In my opinion, the quality of professional cameras with professional lenses is far higher than mobile cameras.
Unknown said…
Such a system seems very dystopic to me but I think that elements of it are already emerging in the form of social media ratings and likes. Of course you can argue that it doesn't bring direct punishment for people, but it certainly affects businesses that are rated poorly. A lot of people wouldn't choose places that have negative comments on google maps.
Unknown said…
1. I believe that in Poland now such a program is not needed. I believe that there are enough taxes that grow with profit.
2. As for me, the lack of such a system as in China, is that there are few ways to earn points, but there are a lot of fines. In my case, everything triples, but probably there are people who do not need diapers yet, but there is time for video games, so why should they lose points because their needs do not seem important or charitable to the state. Of course, there are advantages, I think that people who need scores, will follow the rules in society and engage in charity. Such a law makes it possible for one to become a law-abiding citizen independently and to use money intelligently.
3. Probably, as I said, in Poland it is a tax. The more you earn the more you pay the tax. And offenses on the road or on the street may deprive me of the opportunity to travel abroad, but this is all regulated in Poland by the police.
Illia Lukisha said…
1. Would you like to see this kind of program implemented where you live or perhaps variant of it? If so in what form?
No, because it brings even more inequality in our life, you should watch black mirror episode on that theme.

2. What are possible downsides to such system you can think of? What about advantages, and would they be worth it?
I think there is only downsides of this approach.

3. Can you think of something that resembles, even tiny bit, this program in a place where you live? What is it?
I don't how to apply this program and don't violate human rights.
Filip Sawicki said…
1. Never ever, this is true nightmare. I see a couple of benefits of using such systems on a country level but depriving citizens of their privacy is unimaginable (at least for us living in a democratic world). Black Mirror’s episode resembles the idea pretty well, the dangers are huge and unforeseeable even for members of Chinese government.
2. There are so many disadvantages that ill skip this part. Regarding advantages, In a short run stability of internal politics, fully targeted marketing campaigns for Chinese companies, and better governmental investments.
3. There is nothing that resembles that system here where we live. This is so absurd that even proposing such an idea would lead to huge protests and riots.
Unknown said…
I would not like to see this kind of program implemented where I live and even variant of it.

First of all, the main disadvantage of this system is the total control of citizens by the government. Tracking their every step. Personally, I also think that the system of penalties and rewards makes us do something not because we like it and want it, but because it pays off or doesn’t. I think that such a system kills the joy of life. However, the positive aspect of it, is the fight against crime and breaking the law. Despite everything, I think that it is not worth it.

I think that the closest to this system is Facebook app, in which you get nice and positive comments for good posts, and you get bad comments or get rid of friends for publishing something that is not nice or not good.
Illia Kalinin said…
1. I know some similar programs like this, but not from China.
2. I don't really know, I agree with my colleagues that there are bigger amount of disadvantages, but I can surely say about any advantage.
3. No, I think this program won't be useful in Poland.
Kristina Moroz said…
No, it seems like we are all living for challenging who choose the bast job or married the best person. And even though all of the people wouldn't be honest with each other. But on the other hand we all everyone in this world already giving scores to someone new in their lives. Evaluating their life and choices. Giving them good or bed points just subjectively.
So I think, what the difference between what we do and what Chines government offers? Only one thing, it will be a mandatory thing for everyone like you evaluate another person or not.
Unknown said…
I don’t really understand what taxes has to do with this system. But regarding the fact that one misstep or mistake may cause problems for the rest of your life. I agree. We all make mistakes and this correction system should take that in consideration. It’s similar situation with traditional penal systems. They prevent crimes but hardly ever correct.
Unknown said…
It’s true some traces of this system are becoming more common and pronounced. Although I wouldn’t equate humans with business. Latter comes and goes while former is normally tied to their identity.
Unknown said…
Inequality might be a problem indeed. People that had their lives set up all nice and easy may not struggle as those that come from pathological families for example. This is especially concerning in regard to financial profiling for lawns and such. Although why should people that are creditable pay as high interest rates as those who aren’t.
Unknown said…
I can only guess but it’s likely that many companies create profile of your person for marketing purposes. Although it’s not tight to your person it’s similar to that system of Ali-pay. System could be constructed in various ways. I wouldn’t reject it outright because it could look like its worse in episode of Black Mirror.
Unknown said…
In case of Rongcheng it’s not really controlling or invasive. Points can’t tell more than a speeding ticket can.
Unknown said…
I think i would like. I would probably stay with 1000 points, because I never do something good and seems liek i dont commit any crimes)
I think downsides of such system are perfectly shown in quite famous series "Balck mirror"
Nope, in place where I live there is nothing like that
Unknown said…
The system of penalties and prizes is a good idea only someone needs to watch over it. I don't know if I would like it in Poland. It seems a bit strange to me and I have the impression that it limits freedom in some way and someone tells us what is good and what is bad. I think such a system works well with children. When they are wise or they do something for parents they get a plus, when they are not polite they get a minus. And in this way they collect a prize for themselves. The problem is that someone has to control it and it isn't so easy
Patryk Górski said…
1. Would you like to see this kind of program implemented where you live or perhaps variant of it? If so in what form?

No, it's a limitation to human freedom and it gives too much control for the government in my opinion.

2. What are possible downsides to such system you can think of? What about advantages, and would they be worth it?

For me there are no advantages, and I think it shouldn't be "implemented" in our country.

3. Can you think of something that resembles, even tiny bit, this program in a place where you live? What is it?

I don't know anything about it
You can see the possible benefits to society and how this could be used well, but this system will also very likely be used to ostracize and limit people who have expressed any kind of opposing views to the government. If people become more fearful of expressing different opinions, then it becomes less likely that people become more exposed to different opinions and more likely that individuals will feel shocked or anger at hearing different opinions. The acceptable opinions that are circulated will become somewhat akin to religion/faith. It's natural for humans to mimic each other in thought and behavior, so I think this kind of censorship is the most effective at creating somewhat of a hive-mind with respect to what the government deems to be the most sensitive political topics.
Unknown said…
I have read an article on that topic, but it was written by a person, who lives in China and faces that system everyday. And it is awful, people lose their jobs and families because of the small faults. Maybe from one side it sounds not so bad, but if get to know more from inside.. I would definitely stay away from the countries with such a system, because it gives the full control to the government and you could get real paranoid on every step, it is a huge stress. I didn't even believe my eyes, but then I have found more information and was really surprised that this system do exist. For me, it's like from some scifi book. I can't think about the advantages, because it is really scary.
Cecylia said…
I would say that it looks like a game system when you get good point for doing good stuff. but life is not a game and small faults cannot be seen as bad to the point of taking out points of someone. I don't think this i s a good idea and I know that in poland this will never be used. I mean you have that point system if its about the vehicle driving . Thats ok but not the daily human behavior. If for example a person say a bad word in public and its suggested as a bad thing they will take out points .... its like treating a dog .

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