A Huge Risk

Dalian%2C+Liaoning%2C+China%3A+Two+elderly+Chinese+guys+enjoying+the+sea+at+Xinghai+Bay.+Photo+by+CEphoto%2C+Uwe+Aranas+2018.

Dalian, Liaoning, China: Two elderly Chinese guys enjoying the sea at Xinghai Bay. Photo by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas 2018.

Eun Ho Kim, Editorial

By 2020, China’s government plans to implement a social credit system that monitors all its citizens. This program will track political, economic, and social behaviors and give or deduct points. People with low scores can be banned or blacklisted from certain services such as traveling, entering university, or getting a bank loan. Conversely, citizens with high scores will have access to privileges such as discounts on rent and energy bills.

The Chinese government argues that this system will build trust among Chinese society. They argue that it will curb official corruption, and punish unethical behaviors. Although some Chinese citizens are in favor of it, they should realize how their lives will be limited bya social credit system.

People should not be tagged with a number or restricted from freedom based on how they behave.

Getting blacklisted because of low credit can bring people into the state where nothing matters. The crime rate could increase due to stress. When people have no hope, they won’t care about their lives. This could cause chaos throughout the country.

Young people will get stressed out if they are monitored 24/7. Stress can damage people’s thoughts or potentially increase suicide rates.

The system could also mean that the wealthy grow wealthier, and the poor grow poorer. 

China is taking a risk by experimenting on its citizens. Officials say that the country needs to build trust and to prevent rebellious actions by individuals. I believe this social credit system will have the opposite effect.

The social credit system takes away the privacy of citizens, and humans have a right to privacy. People will grow increasingly stressed and those who still believe in privacy and individual rights will rebel. It will make citizens into robot-like humans that live the same boring life.