CHINA SOCIAL CREDIT SYSTEM

For my first article, I would like to start with the topic that a classmate mentioned last week about : "China social credit system".  I think it's interesting theme. 

First of all, do you know how works this system ? Actually it's a point system that evaluates the behavior of Chinese citizens in public places and on the internet (social media), with consequences for their REAL life. It was chosen by the Chinese gouvernement in 2014 and it will be implemented in 2020.

The purpose of this system that ranks "good" and "bad" citizens is to control a population of 1.4 billion inhabitants. It means that if you behave well in accordance with the rules that the country impose, you will have a high score and you will get benefits. But if you don't follow the rules for example : "smoke in publics spaces, defraud public transport, cross the road when the traffic lights are red, eat in public transport, walk his dog without a bundle"... The system will punish "bad citizens", they will be blocked from buying tickets, they can clamp down on luxury options (barred from getting business class), they can also banish their children to get into the best schools.. 

You know, I met a Chinese person in the end of August and I've spent the whole day with her talking and i've had informations about what's going on with this system. It isn't yet 100% set up but they have already begun to respect rules. For example when we were out walking in Dublin, this person absolutely didn't want cross the road when the lights were red and she would run if it was orange because in China the police are at every corner ready to put fines. 

I remember the first time I watched "Black mirror", the 1st episode of season 3 "Nosedive", at the end of the episode I was thinking about this point system and I had hoped never live in a society like this. A few years later I hear on television that China is going on to use the same "social credit system".... I was disappointed because they will be constantly noted for everything they will do and for me it's not the definition of freedom.

To sum up, China will use this system in a few months and do you think the gouvernement will have better control over the population ?



Jamal Ouarite