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posted by Fnord666 on Monday April 22 2019, @01:23PM   Printer-friendly
from the Happiness-is-mandatory.-The-social-credit-system-is-your-friend dept.

China's courts have now added 13.5 million individuals to the social-credit punishment list.

People deemed untrustworthy in China have been blocked from the purchase of more than 25 million plane and train tickets, as the country works to build the massive social-credit system designed to monitor and shape the conduct of its citizens

The system covers "19 key areas of dishonesty" such as failing to make court-ordered payments (China has no personal bankruptcy statutes), spending habits, turnstile violations, and filial piety, as well as

spreading online rumours and false information, committing financial fraud, delivering unlicensed medical treatment, evading taxes, cheating on tests and fixing sports matches.

Chinese officials are careful to point out that this is only the beginning of the process of implementing a social-credit system. There are also multiple blacklists involved, not one big blacklist like the United State's 'No-Fly' list.

In total, the number of blacklists in China now likely numbers in the hundreds, said Dai Xin, a professor at Ocean University of China School of Law. But it remains experimental, he said, like many initiatives in China, where "governments just go ahead with some vague assumptions of what may happen if a measure is adopted."

Critics call the system the beginning of a "digital panopticon", while other Chinese scholars and officials defend the system as one that will ease life for those who display good conduct and integrity even as it deprives the untrustworthy of access to services.


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  • (Score: 3, Funny) by Bot on Monday April 22 2019, @01:50PM (23 children)

    by Bot (3902) on Monday April 22 2019, @01:50PM (#833376) Journal

    The Chinese could have leapfrogged the west, by building sustainable enterprises and by using the same tactics the west use to control people, while letting them vote (spreading the responsibility of failure to people themselves, increasing social division). They KNOW how the west works.
    Instead they take the worst of western squandering of resources and the worst of eastern political tactics.

    Well ofc if they did the opposite the rest of the world would be bombing them with some excuse...

    --
    Account abandoned.
    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 22 2019, @02:22PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 22 2019, @02:22PM (#833385)

      The hair-dye crowd wants to hold on to power. Fuck what the people want.

    • (Score: 5, Insightful) by ikanreed on Monday April 22 2019, @02:44PM (14 children)

      by ikanreed (3164) Subscriber Badge on Monday April 22 2019, @02:44PM (#833394) Journal

      If you "really don't get it", I've got a mostly satisfactory answer. At least satisfactory to me.

      Ever hear of the iron law of institutions? It goes like this:

      The people who control institutions care first and foremost about their power within the institution rather than the power of the institution itself. Thus, they would rather the institution "fail" while they remain in power within the institution than for the institution to "succeed" if that requires them to lose power within the institution.

      The party leadership could work to make China the most powerful country in the world, but they could also cement their power over the billions of people they already control. To never have anyone step out of line and challenge the systems that keep them rich and loaded with authority? Pretty appealing, even if it means China is a fraction of what it could be.

      • (Score: 4, Touché) by JoeMerchant on Monday April 22 2019, @03:38PM (9 children)

        by JoeMerchant (3937) on Monday April 22 2019, @03:38PM (#833421)

        To never have anyone step out of line and challenge the systems that keep them rich and loaded with authority? Pretty appealing, even if it means China is a fraction of what it could be.

        I'm sorry, were you describing China, or Trump and the Republicans?

        --
        🌻🌻 [google.com]
        • (Score: 5, Insightful) by Thexalon on Monday April 22 2019, @04:51PM

          by Thexalon (636) on Monday April 22 2019, @04:51PM (#833445)

          I'm sorry, were you describing China, or Trump and the Republicans?

          Yes.

          I mean, the tools of the "panopticon" are a bit different in the US, and mostly run by businesses rather than the government, but your credit score, social media history, CC purchase history, etc have precisely the same role really.

          --
          The only thing that stops a bad guy with a compiler is a good guy with a compiler.
        • (Score: 3, Insightful) by Sulla on Monday April 22 2019, @06:49PM (6 children)

          by Sulla (5173) on Monday April 22 2019, @06:49PM (#833484) Journal

          China, the Democrats, and Trump and the Republicans

          FTFY

          There are no "good guys" anywhere

          --
          Ceterum censeo Sinae esse delendam
          • (Score: 2) by JoeMerchant on Monday April 22 2019, @08:16PM (5 children)

            by JoeMerchant (3937) on Monday April 22 2019, @08:16PM (#833505)

            Bernie talks a good line, shame he's so old and can't get a credible younger candidate to carry the same banner.

            --
            🌻🌻 [google.com]
            • (Score: 4, Funny) by DannyB on Monday April 22 2019, @09:05PM (4 children)

              by DannyB (5839) Subscriber Badge on Monday April 22 2019, @09:05PM (#833520) Journal

              So you would not vote for a 2000 year old jew, who many people worship and give their money to?

              (and yes, I mean Bernie)

              --
              To transfer files: right-click on file, pick Copy. Unplug mouse, plug into other computer. Right-click paste.
              • (Score: 2) by JoeMerchant on Monday April 22 2019, @10:19PM (2 children)

                by JoeMerchant (3937) on Monday April 22 2019, @10:19PM (#833556)

                He's not quite 2000, but he's older than Trump, who is already too old to be electing to a first term as president...

                Yeah, compared to the options, I voted for Bernie in 2016 - not sure I can get past the age thing in 2020.

                --
                🌻🌻 [google.com]
                • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 22 2019, @11:17PM

                  by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 22 2019, @11:17PM (#833588)

                  Nah, as long as the brain is working he is fine, and from all appearances Bernie has better brain function than most of Congress.

                • (Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @01:27AM

                  by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @01:27AM (#833642)

                  His policies are what actually matter, though.

              • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @12:20AM

                by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @12:20AM (#833610)

                > a 2000 year old jew

                I'd vote for this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RI7wDpBRqjo [youtube.com] but I don't think he's running.

        • (Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 22 2019, @10:15PM

          by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 22 2019, @10:15PM (#833552)

          Hey TDS victim, Republicans are in power because Democrats are really really really really really bad. And Republicans are not cemeting their power, Democrats are ensuring everyday that they will be unelectable with their off-the-wall retarded platforms. All Republicans have to do is hold the Democrats' beers.

      • (Score: 2) by Bot on Monday April 22 2019, @04:13PM (1 child)

        by Bot (3902) on Monday April 22 2019, @04:13PM (#833432) Journal

        But you can do that with money and needs.
        They are creating an army of hopeless.
        The only sensible strategy I can predict from this situation is to wait until tensions become acute and then send the hopeless to colonize africa. They already built the cities and kept them empty.

        --
        Account abandoned.
        • (Score: 3, Interesting) by Immerman on Monday April 22 2019, @04:56PM

          by Immerman (3985) on Monday April 22 2019, @04:56PM (#833449)

          >They are creating an army of hopeless.

          Are they though? I'm not at all clear on the details, but China's population as a whole is seeing a level of upwards mobility that the US can only dream of, and these social credit policies seem to (mostly) be interfering in people's recreational and investment opportunities, rather than their ability to get ahead through hard work and social connections.

          Assuming there's ways to be "actively prosocial" to increase your social credit score as well, even those deprivations can act as a potent carrot-and-stick motivator to get the populace to fall in line.

      • (Score: 2) by arslan on Tuesday April 23 2019, @03:52AM (1 child)

        by arslan (3462) on Tuesday April 23 2019, @03:52AM (#833700)

        This is true until a couple years ago where Emperor Xi is now head of the party for life - essentially an Emperor like the old days just not in title.

        He already cemented his position in the institution by removing any dissent when he removed the need for party head re-election. So he can now do both of what you said; making China the most powerful country in the world _and_ squashing his rule of thumb over the people, there's no reason why he need to choose.

        • (Score: 2) by EETech1 on Tuesday April 23 2019, @03:02PM

          by EETech1 (957) on Tuesday April 23 2019, @03:02PM (#833869)

          Having complete control over your entire population is a great way to begin taking over the rest of the world.

          It's just the beginning.
          They're forcing them to work (hard) 72 hours a week minimum and do exactly as told, nothing more.
          While they continually monitor, and score your eligibility for "anything enjoyable" VS "forced re-education of your entire family".

          Soldiers forced into an economic Army, being driven by a plan to control the world.

    • (Score: 2) by JoeMerchant on Monday April 22 2019, @03:34PM (6 children)

      by JoeMerchant (3937) on Monday April 22 2019, @03:34PM (#833417)

      The tallest tree is the first cut down.

      --
      🌻🌻 [google.com]
      • (Score: 1) by Sulla on Monday April 22 2019, @07:09PM (3 children)

        by Sulla (5173) on Monday April 22 2019, @07:09PM (#833490) Journal

        The tallest blade of grass is the first to be cut by the scythe

        Russian Proverb

        --
        Ceterum censeo Sinae esse delendam
        • (Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 22 2019, @08:21PM (2 children)

          by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 22 2019, @08:21PM (#833507)

          Short people got no reason

          Randy Newman

      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @02:04AM (1 child)

        by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @02:04AM (#833664)

        Fan Bingbing's fall from grace starting with the theft of her wealth was one of the first dominoes.

        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @06:57AM

          by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @06:57AM (#833742)

          我爸是李刚!

          At least I am not Donald Jr.! Oh, the horror!

  • (Score: 3, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 22 2019, @02:20PM (2 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 22 2019, @02:20PM (#833382)

    Because authoritarianism is not just a Chinese thing. Try getting off that list. AFAIK due process is an illusion with that one. Failure to make court ordered payments? I think I just yesterday stumbled across a California site on how to restore your drivers license and registration when back in compliance with court ordered (child support) payments.

    • (Score: 3, Insightful) by sjames on Monday April 22 2019, @06:24PM

      by sjames (2882) on Monday April 22 2019, @06:24PM (#833478) Journal

      Ans, of course, like the Chinese system lack of ability to pay for any reason is treated as a moral failure even if an adverse action by the state or "act of God" is at the root of the inability.

    • (Score: 2) by terrab0t on Tuesday April 23 2019, @12:30PM

      by terrab0t (4674) on Tuesday April 23 2019, @12:30PM (#833804)

      Some parts of Canada will revoke your drivers’ license if you are caught fishing without a license. China takes away your plane and train tickets for completely unrelated offenses. I find it odd to have such a specific, unrelated punishment for an offense.

      In either case there must be people who don’t drive, or take planes or trains. I guess that makes them immune to these laws.

  • (Score: 0, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 22 2019, @02:48PM (4 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 22 2019, @02:48PM (#833397)

    yeah. know that there exists a..holes in the world.
    i have come to the conclusion that it is genetic and thus
    punishment cannot educate them, but rather their a..holeness
    has now infected the government and everybody NOT a a..hole
    gets dragged into the impossible mission of "a..hole reeducation".
    "the a..holeness is strong with this one"

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 22 2019, @06:57PM (1 child)

      by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 22 2019, @06:57PM (#833486)

      In Episode IV of your series, will we be introduced to "rectichlorians" that can be used to measure the power of one's a-holeness?

      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 22 2019, @08:56PM

        by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 22 2019, @08:56PM (#833515)

        No. For episode IV there will be some rectoactive changes. Greedy will shoot his load before he gets fizzled into a steaming pile.

        The rectichlorians will be in the first prequel.

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @03:28AM (1 child)

      by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @03:28AM (#833692)

      If a..holeness is genetic, how can it infect?

      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @03:56AM

        by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @03:56AM (#833702)

        The same way a dude can "infect" a dudette to create little dudelettes?

  • (Score: 5, Insightful) by Alfred on Monday April 22 2019, @03:05PM (2 children)

    by Alfred (4006) on Monday April 22 2019, @03:05PM (#833405) Journal
    Once they have worked out the bugs they will be able to sell it to the Western Thought Police and use it on us too.
    • (Score: 3, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 22 2019, @07:10PM (1 child)

      by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 22 2019, @07:10PM (#833491)

      Sadly you are incorrect https://soylentnews.org/politics/comments.pl?noupdate=1&sid=31212&page=1&cid=833445#commentwrap [soylentnews.org]

      The US and Britain were the big beta testers. Most of it is just hidden behind various corporate silos, and how it all gets aggregated is kept hidden from sight. China is just being upfront about it, and while I dislike the dystopian future we're building I much prefer that the systems at least be out in the open. In the US you can be put on a no-fly list and other such Big Brother bullshit with no idea you're on the lists until you try and do whatever is prohibited to you.

      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @03:30PM

        by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @03:30PM (#833882)

        i'm on the "no-hot-(like steaming hot)-and-serviant-(and can cook good meals)-wife-for-you" list. which server do i have to magnetize?

  • (Score: 2) by fyngyrz on Monday April 22 2019, @05:01PM (3 children)

    by fyngyrz (6567) on Monday April 22 2019, @05:01PM (#833453) Journal

    You are fined one credit for a violation of the Verbal Morality Statute .

    --
    I believe there's a person out there for everybody.
    My person happened to be five cats.

    • (Score: 1) by RandomFactor on Monday April 22 2019, @08:16PM (2 children)

      by RandomFactor (3682) Subscriber Badge on Monday April 22 2019, @08:16PM (#833506) Journal

      He doesn't know how to use the three seashells?

      --
      В «Правде» нет известий, в «Известиях» нет правды
      • (Score: 2) by DannyB on Monday April 22 2019, @09:53PM (1 child)

        by DannyB (5839) Subscriber Badge on Monday April 22 2019, @09:53PM (#833541) Journal

        Best answer: Google for how to use the three seashells.

        Or ask Alexa.

        --
        To transfer files: right-click on file, pick Copy. Unplug mouse, plug into other computer. Right-click paste.
        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @03:33PM

          by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @03:33PM (#833884)

          indeed ... the pizzas ARE getting smaller and smaller.

  • (Score: 3, Insightful) by ilsa on Monday April 22 2019, @05:43PM

    by ilsa (6082) Subscriber Badge on Monday April 22 2019, @05:43PM (#833463)

    Yeah, I think pretty much everyone knows that this is what it's really about.

    Purge yourself of those seditious thoughts citizen. Life is just better that way. In fact, we'll make sure of it.

  • (Score: 2) by looorg on Monday April 22 2019, @05:51PM (9 children)

    by looorg (578) on Monday April 22 2019, @05:51PM (#833468)

    "19 key areas of dishonesty" such as ... filial piety

    So be nice to your parents and don't forget about honoring long lost dead relatives or you'll be screwed ...

    Are the 19 key areas of equal worth or are some more worth and possibly equal, in the best animal farm way, then some others? As in if you have to chose or you can only resolve a limited amount of issues and by your actions then failing other "obligations" are some of them better to obey and complete then others? Party > Divine > Family > Self?

    • (Score: 2, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 22 2019, @07:48PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 22 2019, @07:48PM (#833502)

      So be nice to your parents and don't forget about honoring long lost dead relatives or you'll be screwed ...

      I'm sure filial piety (孝) here means "your parents have fallen on hard times, yet you chose to make the State pay for their care" rather than "you clean their grave every year on 清明節".

    • (Score: 2) by DannyB on Monday April 22 2019, @09:12PM (7 children)

      by DannyB (5839) Subscriber Badge on Monday April 22 2019, @09:12PM (#833524) Journal

      filial piety

      If parents, ancestors, etc want respect, they should earn it.

      --
      To transfer files: right-click on file, pick Copy. Unplug mouse, plug into other computer. Right-click paste.
      • (Score: 2) by Alfred on Monday April 22 2019, @09:38PM (6 children)

        by Alfred (4006) on Monday April 22 2019, @09:38PM (#833535) Journal
        LOL, you literally exist because of you ancestors. Some subcultures, not specifying which, have a "I brought you into this world and I can take you out of it" policy.
        • (Score: 2) by DannyB on Monday April 22 2019, @09:51PM (2 children)

          by DannyB (5839) Subscriber Badge on Monday April 22 2019, @09:51PM (#833539) Journal

          Some subcultures, not specifying which, have a "I brought you into this world . . .

          So, you're saying . . . abortion is legal, up until the fetus reaches age 18 and can support itself and move out?

          you literally exist because of you ancestors

          That does not guarantee they are worthy of respect. I'm not saying they aren't necessarily worthy of respect. And I'm not saying mine specifically are not worthy of respect.

          But there certainly are parents or ancestors that do not merit respect just because they can create offspring -- as if doing so is a great achievement. I wouldn't blame the kids for the sins of the parents, but I would still blame the parents. Maybe the kids want to get their name changed once they grow up.

          --
          To transfer files: right-click on file, pick Copy. Unplug mouse, plug into other computer. Right-click paste.
          • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @02:20AM

            by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @02:20AM (#833673)

            I just love how in some cultures parents and grandparents are revered so much that by law they can see their children and grandchildren even if they have been complete bastards to them. In one case the father beat the heck out of his kid, who then kept the father away from the grandchildren. A court ruled the grandfather could visit the grandchildren even though the bastard indicated the he would harm the grandchildren in the same way.

          • (Score: 2) by Alfred on Tuesday April 23 2019, @02:42PM

            by Alfred (4006) on Tuesday April 23 2019, @02:42PM (#833864) Journal
            Most subcultures, including the one referenced, are stupid. Presenting their stance is just for counterpoint and does not reflect the opinion of the messenger (me).

            Many parents are not worthy of respect because they do not live up to the responsibility they brought upon themselves. At the very least every child is worthy of a good (first) name and not some crap fad name but some parents can't even do that. Sins of the parents be upon the parents but the children suffer from it also.
        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 22 2019, @10:18PM (1 child)

          by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 22 2019, @10:18PM (#833554)

          I know man I read the GP going "There it is! There's that Millenial entitlement that will doom their whole shitty generation." I'm a Millenial myself, but I emigrated here from the Soviet block in early 90s, so I'm not as retarded as the rest.

          • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 22 2019, @11:22PM

            by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 22 2019, @11:22PM (#833594)

            Ha, do you even realize you have it completely backwards? Asking someone to earn their respect is entitlement? Time to re-evaluate your personal beliefs bub.

        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @01:37AM

          by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @01:37AM (#833650)

          Someone brought you into existence without your consent, so you owe them nothing. Parenting the children you chose to bring into existence is the bare minimum you can do. The real entitlement is expecting others to respect you when you haven't earned it.

  • (Score: 2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 22 2019, @09:45PM (2 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 22 2019, @09:45PM (#833536)

    We have. It is called a different way: "A monetary system", but works the same way.
    Try to e.g. say any true, scientifically proven fact about recent "sensitive" topics as an individual. Doesn't matter which one. You will suddenly be removed of citizen rights and you may loose your job even if you said a private opinion not connected anyways with it. This induces self censorship in a very large scale, and allows to make people have double standards when they find more money to get. Maybe some people will call it leftist. I'm not right-wing enough to call it leftist (and this BS about plot is seriously over any comprehension), it's just well-designed social engineering for the objective of bigger sales and more obedient workers.

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @04:00AM (1 child)

      by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @04:00AM (#833703)

      You make interesting point comrade! You have newsletter I can sign other fellow comrades up?

      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @10:09AM

        by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @10:09AM (#833787)

        Congratulations. As a proper citizen of capitalist country, you have been made dumb enough not to see any alternative to capitalism except communism. That's how manufacturing of "useful idiots" works today.

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 22 2019, @11:09PM (1 child)

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 22 2019, @11:09PM (#833585)

    Somebody please dig up the list and publish it. It may hurt some people in the short-term, but the outcry will prevent the same in the long term.

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @02:23AM

      by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @02:23AM (#833676)
      1. Meng Hongwei
      2. Fan Binging
      3. ...
  • (Score: 3, Touché) by Hartree on Tuesday April 23 2019, @02:58AM

    by Hartree (195) on Tuesday April 23 2019, @02:58AM (#833683)

    Sing along! You know the song!

    "Winnie the Pooh
    Winnie the Pooh
    Tubby little cubby all stuffed with fluffy
    He's Winnie the Pooh
    Winnie the Pooh
    Willy nilly silly old bear!"

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @03:43PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @03:43PM (#833887)

    in all fairness ... volume, size, area and .. time are what really matter when having to shoulder the burden of decision making for a whole bunch of people.
    china is naively copying the western standard and now has to spearhead the mechanism of controlling peace for all as the MOST populous country!

    nobody can do it for them. they cannot copy this. they ARE the biggest country with the most people under the countrol of one government.

    they are trying it their way. they can because they are in the situation. the fallacy is to assume that this mechanism of control also applies to countries
    that are not number one on the list with most governed people under one government. the list only has one entry.

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