BY: JESSICA BEUKER
“Big Brother is watching you.” The chilling slogan was once only part of George Orwell’s fictional dystopia – a totalitarian society where every citizen is under constant surveillance by the government. Now, the idea of “Big Brother” is much more than the villain in an eerie, political fiction novel – it’s the basis for China’s proposed “Social credit System.”
In June of last year, China proposed a “Social Credit System” to be implemented by the year 2020. The proposal states: “The main objectives of the construction of a social credit system are: by 2020, basically having established fundamental laws, regulations and standard systems for social credit, basically having completed a credit investigation system covering the entire society with credit information and resource sharing at the basis, basically having completed credit supervision and management systems, having a relatively perfect credit service market system, and giving complete rein to mechanisms to encourage keeping trust and punish breaking trust. Having made clear headway in the construction of sincerity in government affairs, commercial sincerity, social sincerity and judicial credibility, and a substantial rise in market and social satisfaction levels. Having broadly strengthened the sense of sincerity in the entire society, achieved a clear improvement in the credit environment for economic and social development, and a market improvement of the economic and social order.”
In short, China is proposing to assess its citizens’ behaviour – relating to commercial and social activities – by way of a scoring system. According to Fast Company, once completed the model could include rating everything from a person’s chat-room comments to their performance at work. The state would have the ability to give and take away credits across more than 30 areas of life. The scores would be used to determine job eligibility, mortgages and social services.
The system when implemented will be overseen by the State Council and is possible because of two main factors. Firstly, it is now possible to gather information about behaviour like never before. Because of the Internet and new technologies, we’re constantly leaving a huge footprint of data behind us. Secondly, the Chinese government sees no reason to protect citizens’ data and privacy rights if the data can benefit them.
While a social credit system has obvious value – it encourages people to act honestly and just – the system could easily become a coercive dictatorship. It could become a way for the government to introduce their own rules and behavioural norms and then punish anyone who doesn’t follow them. A controlled state not only infringes on citizens’ privacy, but what’s more detrimental is that it takes away the freedom of individual choice and lifestyle.
Sources: nytimes.com, examiner.com, obsidianportal.com, animalnewyork.com
