The Chinese Social Credit System (SCS) has often been described by Western observers as an “Orwellian nightmare”. However, within China, so such outrage appears to exist. Therefore, this paper...Show moreThe Chinese Social Credit System (SCS) has often been described by Western observers as an “Orwellian nightmare”. However, within China, so such outrage appears to exist. Therefore, this paper examines the current state of the SCS and analyses to what extent the system really intents to further repress the Chinese people using surveillance and big data. First, a number of common myths are dispelled, namely the confusion between Sesame Credit and SCS and the use of big data. Then, a more comprehensive overview of the SCS is created and the actual real-life implementation in local pilots is examined. The final chapters then turn to an interpretation of the SCS. The key finding is that while the SCS has the potential to turn into this feared Orwellian nightmare, this does not appear to be the intended goal of the system. Instead, the main focus is on improving the population’s “suzhi” (or: quality) in order to improve economic and social regulation and make China a more “trustworthy” place.Show less
