China imposes travel ban on people with poor social credits

The Chinese government has imposed a travel ban on people with poor social credits. Now, you must be wondering what exactly is social credit. Well, the social credit system is a way in which the Chinese government rates its citizens based on things like criminal behaviour and financial misdeeds, and also on what they buy, say and do. Those with low “scores” have to deal with penalties and restrictions.

As per the new policy, such passengers will be banned from travelling via trains and planes for up to a year. The system will be implemented from May 1, 2018 by the country’s National Development and Reform Commission(NDRC).

According to Reuters, citizens who have spread “false information about terrorism,” caused “trouble” on flights, used expired tickets, or were caught smoking on trains could all be banned. Employers who failed to pay social insurance or people who have failed to pay fines would also face such restrictions. China has been working towards rolling out a full version of the system by 2020, but some early versions of it are already in place.

The notices issued by the NDRC have been signed by eight ministries of the country, including aviation regulator and the Supreme People's Court.

The Chinese government had earlier imposed restrictions on the debtors and now the program has been expanded to criminal behaviour. Last year, LeEco and Faraday Future founder Jia Yueting was put on the blacklist on refusing to pay debts.