Abstract:

The article is devoted to discussing the problem of creating social control technologies on the basis of common national (regional) databases. They exist in many countries, under different names, which often does not reveal their real content. In China it is Urban Gridding management. In accordance with this, the population is not always aware that information about them is collected and their behavior is being monitored by relevant employees. People cannot always verify the correctness of information, although it often influence on the distribution of material goods and advancement in careers, etc.

The article describes the experience of China Urban Gridding management’ creating and implementing. It is new technology for controlling residents in grids (territorial units) by collecting information about them on Internet platforms. Special centers were created in cities for this purpose. The system is undergoing experimental verification, although more than 50 cities in China are already participating in it.

An analysis of the literature revealed two fundamentally different approaches to the new technology. So, if in publications in national editions only its positive potential are highlighted and the danger of divulging the privacy is obscured, foreign authors reveal this and other dangers. The authors suggest that a national discussion on the topic should be started.