China creates app to tell you if you are near someone in debt and encourages you to report...

[jel merd]

When the Chinese people can openly express their true feelings, without fear of state sponsored terror knocking at their doors...then China will lead. China under Xi is 1984 writ large.

 

[JamesSWD]

The Chinese wouldn't do something if they didn't think it wouldn't increase their competitive advantage over the West.

When you think about it, why shouldn't people be shamed for being bad debtors? Why shouldn't social credit exist and help you with career and education?

People are not the same, and those that work harder than the rest should be rewarded.

You are an excellent NPC. We have noted your compliance in your dossier and have raised your social credit score. Kudos.

 

[JB3543]

A good indication of a culture's decline is how much it spies on its citizens. And, oh yeah, the USA culture is in major decline.

Just look at the Oscars - that Black Panther and BlacKkKlansman are up for best picture.

 

[lazer]

What is lacking is how it works. It probably works by picking up the person's phone, then the number connecting to the ministry of debt and then showing the ratings.

so if I had a debt, I would just not carry my phone in public....
or get another one with a different name....

 

[jtveg]

Another great reason to be a Chinese citizen. Somehow I feel ideas like this will ultimately work against the greater good of most citizens.

How are you supposed to pay off your debt if you can't get a job anyway?

 

[Bubbajim]

That would flag up well over half the population if that happened given how hard it is to get by here without having some form of debt. Our economy practically depends on it.

Well over half indeed! Average household debt in our Great land stands at almost £60,000 (inc. mortgages) and collectively, at last count, we owe £1,600,000,000,000.

Spend it like Beckham, I say!

 

[Valleykid]

This will be hitting the UK soon...

So this is SOCIALISM with Comrade XI's Characteristics? or merely MAO re-incarnated? This is why China
will never rule the world! China is still a dictatorial police state...the Largest open air Prison in the world.
BTW China is also a pretend communist state. Read the manifesto lately.?

What does socialism have to do with blanket servalence , and public shaming? And why did you write it in all caps?

I mean its a horrible thing.. but not a verbal defication of every word you think might be bad.. type of bad.. you know.. and certainly not in all caps.... manifsto!!1!

 

[ItZmE Again]

The day this happens in North America is the day we ALL BUY SCOPES FOR OUR RIFLES and open season on politicians begins. Easy solution...dump yer phones. There IS NO LAW that says you HAVE to have one. It's just convenient. Your choice.

 

[OrumusST]

A person's score can be lowered if they do things like playing an excessive amount of video games
Well I'm screwed if I for some reason move to china.

Don't kid yourself. China is just ahead of the curve when you look at the EU and other places hell even in the US they have a resurgence of ignorance when it comes to socialism and communism. Only a matter of time before that sort of crap comes to our shores if we don't stop it dead in it's tracks or at least delay this idiocy until the lunacy of social scoring and such is undeniable even by the true believers.

 

[gollum21]

The Chinese wouldn't do something if they didn't think it wouldn't increase their competitive advantage over the West.

When you think about it, why shouldn't people be shamed for being bad debtors? Why shouldn't social credit exist and help you with career and education?

People are not the same, and those that work harder than the rest should be rewarded.

Why are you assuming everyone being shamed is a bad debtor? Why do you assume social credit based on something like debt promotes fair education?

I was listening to NPR about a month ago. Workers in the coal industry had bought a normal shipment of coal just before changes to the coal markets caused the price of coal to drop dramatically. Through no fault of their own, they have now been shamed from falling into debt over an unexpected change in the coal market. Someone who owns a coal mine, along with his peers, have now been ranked poorly with this system and their faces are even shown on billboards near Chinese roads.

Here's another issue. If you're a CEO in China who has been successful with companies in the past and has already gained personal wealth you can essentially just buy your way out of the social scoring system if something goes wrong with a company. HOWEVER, if you're a small to medium sized business owner whose personal income is directly tied with the business that fails you can't. Just like the coal mine owner. You can't get hired for any well-paying job. You're face is put up on electronic billboards and other public screens. You are also cut-off from things like being able to take out a loan. Forms of public transportation. Access to many facets of China's internet. And more. There is risk with any business. And many successful entrepreneurs don't always do things right the first time.