[jyl]

China is doing this full-bore. They will start calculating a "social score", like a credit score but looks at what you post on social media, what you say in your emails, what you read online, where you go (cellphone tracking), who you associate with (more cellphone tracking and email snooping). Based on your social score you'll get or not get jobs, housing, credit, etc.

In the US, we will absolutely need legislation to limit the gathering and use of such data. It is complex and legislators will have a hard time crafting sensible rules. Europe is already putting in place such legislation, at least the start of such.

This is an overhang on Facebook, Google, etc. And a reason to like Baidu, Tencent, etc - they will use their technology and data to reinforce government control, and will be shielded from Western social media/tech competition.

I won't get a 23AndMe test for this reason; my genetic data will get used for something that I can't control. I only use Apple phones, also for this reason; they aren't perfect but privacy/security is worlds better on an iPhone than a Samsung or heaven forbid a Huawei phone.

And in case anyone is listening, I am a wholly apolitical person who unquestioningly supports every aspect of current government policy and would never dream of entertaining a subversive thought :-)