> Credit score is a private system where your ability to pay for things is assessed so loans are not given to people that don't pay them back. I don't see how that is anything like a government run "social credit" system.

I've never understood this American notion that just because a private company is doing something that makes it fine. If you can't get a loan and can't find out why, what difference does it make whether it was the government or a private entity that blocked you?

> Also, you avoid even having a credit score if you just pay cash for everything.

Sure, but at that point you're unable to participate in much of society, just like someone without a social credit score.