App In China Shows You If The People Next To You Are In Debt

There is an app in China that alerts and allows users to identify nearby debtors and even report them to authorities.

Originally piloted as part of China’s Social Credit System (SCS), the ‘Deadbeat Map’, turns red to mark a higher concentration of dishonest debtors, but downgrades to orange, yellow and blue if there are fewer.

The app allows Chinese citizens the scrutinise each other’s financial status via the country’s popular WeChat messaging platform as an add-on.

According to the state-run newspaper China Daily, the Hebei-based app will alert people if there are in 500 metres of someone in debt.

“The debtor’s information is available to check in the program, making it easier for people to whistle-blow on debtors capable of paying their debts.” According to a spokesman for the Higher People’s Court of North China’s Hebei province, “It’s a part of our measures to enforce our rulings and create a socially credible environment.”

Not just limited to those in arrears, the app serves as a deterrent for those who excessively play video games and post fake news online.

Punishment for negative behaviour includes slower internet speeds, reduced access to good schools and getting banned from certain jobs.

Citizens will also be blocked from booking flights and train rides. 

How do you think this would go down if brought to the UK ?