The Chinese social credit system has aroused fears about the emergence of a similar phenomenon elsewhere. A Swiss team is currently carrying out research on how democracies can prevent “social scoring”.
A society in which we are rewarded when we parked properly and when we lead a healthy life: this seems desirable in the eyes of some. For many others, such a program is rather worrying. Even a bonus point system, which would only reward without punishing, could marginalize people with few points.
Pilot projects in China, as well as dystopian films, have largely aware of the question: “China should not be our scale of values for what we want in our societies in Western Europe”, estimates Johan Rocl. This Swiss is part of a team that conducts research on the subject for the foundation for the assessment of TA-Swiss technological choices. The results of the study will be presented in 2026.
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A bonus system with direct democracy in Germany of the future
In 2020 already, A prospective study commissioned by the German Ministry of Research Developed a scenario on the way in which such a “bonus system” could be set up in the country from the 2030s. The idea being that such a system would allow Germany to offer a better quality of life.
According to the study, within the framework of representative democracy that is Germany, “social scoring” should however be associated with instruments of direct democracy, as they are known in Switzerland. With the help of digital assistants, the country’s citizens would constantly adjust the rewarded behavior: politeness? An ecological lifestyle? The renunciation of alcohol? All should have their say to the system that regulates and rewards them.
The prospective study, which explores this scenario among six others for 2030, also highlights disadvantages; The bonus system would probably lead to “new conflicts”. Whoever would have fewer points than his fellow citizens would find it difficult to get out of this scheme and would be part of the “permanent left-compound”.
What about social rating in Europe?
Since the publication of the study, five years ago, the probability of such a scenario has rather decreased. Last year, the European Union prohibited AI algorithms used for social rating purposes. In Switzerland, however, there is not yet legislation of this type.
Sinologist Adam Knight, of the University of Leyden (Netherlands), welcomes the ban of the EU. According to him, “social scoring” is incompatible with European values. By reducing people to algorithmic profiles, this would threaten privacy, equality and regular procedures. It is not just surveillance that is to be feared, but also “automated discrimination”, said the researcher.
![Persons interviewed in China see the social credit policy with a good eye. [SWI swissinfo.ch - Kai Reusser]](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw== "Persons interviewed in China see the social credit policy with a good eye. [SWI swissinfo.ch - Kai Reusser]")
But “algorithmic profiling” already exists in the EU, according to Adam Knight. The sinologist quotes offers such as Airbnb, Uber and Yelp, as well as credit agencies, for which evaluations and scores have important consequences. He also sees similar systems on the state side. “In Switzerland, for example, the prosecution register publicly lists people who have not paid their fines or invoices.” That inscriptions in the prosecution register can prevent a person from obtaining accommodation, “or even” a job, is not completely different from a black list in the social credit system, according to him.
Transport, environment and health are areas at risk
According to Johan Rochel, in addition to public security, the areas of transport, the environment and health also present risks. At the beginning of 2025, during the last German electoral campaign, the future chancellor Friedrich Merz proposed a reduction in health insurance contributions: all those who would make their health data available for analysis would benefit from a reduction of 10%.
At first glance, such proposals seem harmless, in particular because of their voluntary character, says Johan Rochel. But unlike an obligation or a prohibition, the voluntary character fades when the voluntary supply becomes de facto compulsory, for example when the social or financial price of non-participation becomes too high.
In view of the drift to the right of many democracies, skepticism with regard to social control motivated by ethnic, racist or other, growing considerations
A parliamentary debate on the same subject has already been held in Switzerland. In 2020, UDC National Councilor Thomas Burgherr called on the Federal Council on its position concerning Behavioral economy methods, in particular the technique known as the boost (nudging)and on the compatibility of these with democracy and the rule of law. The Federal Council’s response shows that he considers these “nudges” as an alternative to prohibitions and that “the lessons and methods of behavioral economy can (…) play a role in certain areas”.
The author of the German prospective study Michael Astor is a little more skeptical about the effects of democratic mechanisms: “In view of the drift to the right of many democracies, skepticism with regard to social control motivated by ethnic, racist or other, which can be implemented with the help of suitable, growing systems.” He can only note that the “positive effect, because participative” that his team hoped to see occurring more and more.
Benjamin von Wyl (SWI) / Ain
