Borrowed money? Now, this app will tell how much you owe

If you have taken debt and shirking your responsibility of paying back what you owe, then you would be in real trouble if you reside in China. The Asian nation has unveiled an app that allows users to identify nearby debtors, according to a report by state-owned China Daily newspaper. In northern China, the Higher People’s Court of Herbei recently launched the software, termed as “a map of deadbeat debtors” to WeChat messaging service, said the report, adding that users are provided with an on-screen radar that allows them to discover if there is anyone who owed money within a 500 metre radius. 

Further, the report said that debtors’ information is available to check through the app and people are encouraged to whistle-blow if they believe that the person is in a position to pay back, but is refusing to do so.

A court spokesman at Herbei was quoted as saying “It's a part of our measures to enforce our rulings and create a socially credible environment.” 

Another report by Evening Standard said that China is set to launch a social credit system in 2020, giving all citizens an identity number that will be linked to a permanent record. It will include everything from paying back loans to behaviour on public transport. 

Further, the report said that different cities and provinces have different versions of this at the moment, but all will come together in one big database to keep track of everything everyone is doing. 

Citing China Daily, the report said the Hebei-based app will alert people if there are in 500 metres of someone in debt. The app is one part of this tracking system, but this social credit scoring is showing impact in China. 

Further, the report said that over 6,000 people who failed to pay their taxes on time or misbehaved on public transport were barred from taking planes or trains in and out of China between June 2018 and January 2019. 

Different cities and provinces have different versions of this at the moment, that will all come together in one big database, in order to keep track of everything everyone is doing. 

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In China, people in debt are frowned upon, while people living a frugal life are viewed favourably than those living beyond their means.