Beijing to judge every resident based on behaviour by end of 2020

A screen shows a demonstration of SenseTime Group Ltd.'s SenseVideo pedestrian and vehicle recognition system at the company's showroom in Beijing, China, on Friday, June 15, 2018. SenseTime's image-identifying algorithms have made it the world's most valuable AI startup and an early leader in China, where it's won contracts with the country's top phonemakers, largest telecommunications company, and biggest retailer. Photographer: Gilles Sabrie/Bloomberg

China’s plan to judge each of its 1.3 billion people based on their social behaviour is moving a step closer to reality, with Beijing set to adopt a lifelong points programme by 2021 that assigns personalised ratings for each resident. 

The capital city will pool data from several departments to reward and punish some 22 million citizens based on their actions and reputations by the end of 2020, according to a plan posted on the Beijing municipal government’s website on Monday. Those with better so-called social credit will get “green channel” benefits while those who violate laws will find life more difficult.