The Chinese Communist Party’s social credit system is due to go mainstream this year, according to the Economist. Facial recognition and big data analysis technologies are being used to develop a nation-wide citizen trustworthiness-calibrating scheme. Xi JIn-ping’s administration pictures a time when “the untrustworthy are unable to move an inch”.
Proponents say the system will bring benefits to society raising trust. Critics say it is massive tool to undermine personal freedoms and ensure CCP rule. Regional trials began in 2009 with a national pilot scheme operated by eight companies rolled out in 2014. By last year 200 million CCTV Skynet cameras were operating and eight Chinese cities were reported to be among the ten most surveiled cities in the world.
As of November citizens could earn negative points by playing loud music, failing to keep a doctor’s or dentist’s appointment, jaywalking, missing a job interview or restaurant reservation and failing to sort waste, among other offences.
Punishments are handed out by state organisations. By June according to the National Development and Reform Commission 27 million air tickets had been denied to black-listed individuals and 6 million rail tickets. Other penalties may include exclusion from schools, loss of social status and mugshots of recalcitrant individuals shown in public places.
Companies have the most to lose, the Economist said. All foreign and domestic firms already have a unique social credit code. A master database is being tested that will hoover up all information companies are required to funnel to Chinese agencies. The EU Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai has warned this system “will fundamentally change how business is done in China”.
In July the Hong Kong Government said a social credit system will not be introduced in Hong Kong.
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