This article was first published in the July 2015 issue of WIRED magazine. Be the first to read WIRED's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online
The UK already uses online shaming in sophisticated ways to collect revenue: the state publishes the names of those who deliberately default on their taxes. Although Britain leads the US in addressing tax evasion, there are three policies in California (which also publishes the names of tax delinquents) that the UK might consider. The number of people or businesses on the UK list appears arbitrary, and UK law allows the names to be listed only for a few months. In California, the policy is to list the top 500, which offers clarity. California also ranks offenders, highlighting the worst transgressions. The UK list is unranked.
The other piece of innovative thinking is reporting the amount of recovered tax dollars since listing began in 2007: $405 million (£270m), against an annual cost of $130,000. Even opponents of state-shaming find the approach palatable. A complete transparency policy, would expose all tax delinquents, even those who owe very little. Setting a threshold -- in the UK, only those who owe more than £25,000; in California, the figure's $250,000 -- focuses attention on the main wrongdoers, while protecting those unable to pay. It's important to note the effectiveness of the policy tends to be the threat -- most people pay up when they are warned they are to be added to the list.
Over the past decade the government has released large amounts of data under the premise that sunlight is the best disinfectant. The next decade of the 21st century will be about shaming – focusing attention on the most egregious and significant offenders. Sunlight can be illuminating, but sometimes a spotlight is more effective.
Jennifer Jacquet is an assistant professor at New York University and the author of "Is Shame Necessary? New Uses for an Old Tool" (Penguin)
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
