Social ratings in the digital age: opportunities and threats to society

Abstract

The relevance of the study is related to the contradictory development of social rating systems in the context of digital transformation. The purpose of the work is to analyze the dual nature of these systems through their penetration into various public spheres. The methodology includes a systematic analysis, a comparative approach, and case studies (Chinese social credit system, taxi service ratings, bank scoring), supplemented by expert interviews (n=32) and focus groups. The results revealed conflicting effects in three areas: commercial, government, and cybersecurity. The findings confirm the contradiction between the logic of efficiency and human rights, which requires the creation of a system of checks and balances, including transparency of algorithms and data protection.