CHINA’S SOCIAL Gaining points (Examples) REWARDS AND PUNISHMENTS

SOURCE: MERICS, THE GUARDIAN, WIRED, DEUTSCHE WELLE

TEXT: BERNHARD BARTSCH, MARTIN GOTTSKE; INFOGRAPHICS: CHRISTIAN EISENBERG / INFOGRAPHICS GROUP;

1,300 Losing points (Examples) Citizens with high scores get to

CREDIT SYSTEM enjoy special “privileges” while

those with low scores ultimately
risk getting treated as second-class
It’s been dubbed the most ambitious experi- A maximum of 1,300
citizens.
ment in digital social control ever undertaken. points can be reached.
The Chinese government plans to launch its
Social Credit System nationally by 2020.

Traffic offenses, such as

Engaging in charity work
drunk driving or jaywalking
HIGH SCORES
CAN LEAD TO

WHAT’S THE AIM?

Priority for school
“Illegally” protesting admissions and employment.
The system intends to monitor, rate
against the authorities
and regulate the financial, social,
moral and, possibly, political behav-
ior of China’s citizens – and also the Easier access to cash loans
country’s companies – via a system and consumer credit.
of punishments and rewards. The
stated aim is to “provide the
trustworthy with benefits and Deposit-free bicycle
discipline the untrustworthy. ” Taking care of elderly and car hire.
family members
The Chinese government considers
the system an important tool to steer
Free gym
China’s economy and to govern
facilities.
society. There is still much specula-
tion about how the final system will
actually function. Details in this Not visiting aging parents
chart are based on pilot schemes and regularly Cheaper public
plausible expert expectations. transport.

Shorter wait times

in hospitals.

Positively influencing
one’s neighborhood Fast-track promotion
Starting with 1,000 points
at work.

Jumping the queue

for public housing.

Tax breaks.

1,000
Donating blood

Posting anti-government PUNISHMENTS

messages on social media CAN LEAD TO
HOW DOES IT WORK?

Each citizen is expected to be given a Praising the government Denial of licenses, permits
social credit score that will increase on social media and access to some social
or decrease depending on whether services.
the subject’s social behavior is
acceptable.
Exclusion from booking flights
or high-speed train tickets.
The system is expected to draw on
huge amounts of data about each Spreading rumors on the
and every individual, gathered from Internet
traditional sources – such as Less access
financial, criminal and government to credit.
records and existing data from
registry offices or school officials – Helping the poor
along with digital sources. The latter Restricted access
include data collected on the to public services.
Internet, such as the subject’s search
history, shopping preferences on Ineligibility for
e-commerce sites and interactions government jobs.
on social media. “Insincere” apologies for
crimes committed
Moreover, the system could also rely No access to
on information obtained through private schools.
video surveillance systems with help
from facial recognition technology.
Having a good financial Public shaming: exposure
credit history either online or on TV screens
in public spaces of the names,
photos and ID numbers of
Participating in anything blacklisted citizens; phone
deemed to be a cult dial tones mandated by
authorities that inform people
that they are calling a
Lowest score “dishonest debtor.”

Committing a heroic act Cheating in online games

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