Read on Twitter
I wasn't eager to write on this "new score" making waves on Weibo, but since I had to explain it in a paper, let's make a little 
#苏城文明码# https://twitter.com/DaDa8964/status/1301794339043995648
#苏城文明码# https://twitter.com/DaDa8964/status/1301794339043995648
The civilization score is a new "applet" embedded in the app "Suzhou City Code" (苏城码) jointly released by the Suzhou Municipal Committee of Political and Legal Affairs and the Suzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau.
Therefore, it is only accessible in that city.
Therefore, it is only accessible in that city.
One access his "civilization code" through the main app.
For now, there is only two modules : "Civilized Traffic Index" and "Civilized Volunteer Index".
And, more importantly, registration isn't mandatory !
For now, there is only two modules : "Civilized Traffic Index" and "Civilized Volunteer Index".
And, more importantly, registration isn't mandatory !
The Civilized Traffic Index is basically a scoring mechanism based on driving habits. "Classic stuff" : crossing a red light makes you lose point, as does driving while drunk. On the contrary, volunteering in public transportion or else earns you some point.
The Civilized Volunteer Index is a bit more interesting since it consists in a platform through which one can register and participate in volunteering activities, and of course get some points in return.
For now, the app is scope is obviously limited even tough others are announced to "answer the need of every department".
It is however worrying that the authorities plan to use the score to "warn and discipline" people with an "overall low civilization index"
It is however worrying that the authorities plan to use the score to "warn and discipline" people with an "overall low civilization index"
And that's precisely why people (rightly) got mad. This "civilization code" claims that it'll be an "municipal digital identity certificate" that might influence work / education / etc
(I'm not sure what 外来人口积分入户志愿服务电子凭证 means here so any help is appreciated !)
(I'm not sure what 外来人口积分入户志愿服务电子凭证 means here so any help is appreciated !)
So people started to ask "can we quantify civility ?"
Comments on Weibo are pretty straightforward (and some of them are making the black mirror comparison
)
An example : "Suzhou Hangzhou are fond of this retarded things"
https://weibo.com/1887344341/Jj6ChuFpK?type=repost#_rnd1599375227416
Comments on Weibo are pretty straightforward (and some of them are making the black mirror comparison
) An example : "Suzhou Hangzhou are fond of this retarded things"
https://weibo.com/1887344341/Jj6ChuFpK?type=repost#_rnd1599375227416
Small aparté : I just discovered this phrase 我大清自有国情在此 : https://mzh.moegirl.org.cn/zh-hans/%E6%88%91%E5%A4%A7%E6%B8%85%E8%87%AA%E6%9C%89%E5%9B%BD%E6%83%85%E5%9C%A8%E6%AD%A4
I feel less dumb today
I feel less dumb today
People are also comparing this score to the infamous "good citizen certificate" issued by the Japanese Imperial Army during the war : https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E8%89%AF%E6%B0%91%E8%AF%81/8235734
The document was a way for the occupation army to keep an eye on Chinese people.
The document was a way for the occupation army to keep an eye on Chinese people.
The Sohu article that was shared on social media is very clear that many, both citizen, professors and even official oppose this kind of scoring mechanism : https://www.sohu.com/a/416549593_161795
Important reminder that most people in China oppose this kind of apps !
Important reminder that most people in China oppose this kind of apps !
So while we don't know how this scheme will evolve (if it will at all, it might fail and get abandonned), it's forth mentionning that this is the second "score" released by Suzhou. In 2018 the launched the "Guihua score" (桂花分) https://credit.suzhou.gov.cn/guihuafen
To conclude, it's interesting to see the proliferation of this kind of score, especially when they are all baked project like this one. I wonder if the authorities will impose it or if it's gonna be quietly abandonned.
And while the proliferation of scoring mechanism is concerning both in China and abroad, we should always take this stories with a grain of salt.
(And I sincerely hope such a dumb project will be dropped)
Thanks for reading!
(And I sincerely hope such a dumb project will be dropped)
Thanks for reading!
