 However, individuals may still be granted or denied passports, promotions and other benefits based on information in their dang'an.According to BBC journalist Rupert Wingfield-Hayes, "A black mark against you – a bad school report, a disagreement with your boss, a visit to a psychiatrist – all can travel with you for the rest of your life..."  They are also used in investigations by the Ministry of State Security.An embryonic dang'an is created when individuals enter the school system.