China’s central bank denies collecting utilities records in attempt to ease concerns over social credit system
- The People’s Bank of China will seek permission from individuals before collecting their utilities records
- Reassurance comes amid concerns of increasing intrusions of the credit system into people’s lives
An individuals utility bill payment history will not be included as part of an upgrade to the credit monitoring system operated by China’s central bank, with The People’s Bank of China vowing to maintain the quality of data in an apparent attempt to ease concerns that the system is becoming too intrusive into the lives of the population.
The central bank has not yet collected any utilities data, although the new system will have the ability to add data concerning water, power and telecommunication bills, although it will only be collected only with the approval of the individuals involved, the central bank said.
“The optimization and upgrading of the credit system is ongoing, but there’s no clear timetable for its launch,” the central bank’s credit reference centre said on Monday.
“There won’t be major changes that will impact people’s lives.”
The optimization and upgrading of the credit system is ongoing, but there’s no clear timetable for its launch. There won’t be major changes that will impact people’s lives.
The statement from China’s central bank followed last week’s release of data by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) that millions of citizens had been banned from accessing certain services, including buying flight and high-speed train tickets, due to low scores on the country’s controversial social credit system.