The Metaverse

When I first heard of the “Metaverse” it seemed like a daunting dystopian future where we no longer interact in the real world, but instead escape into the computer. It reminded me somewhat of the Matrix or other sci-fi movie. Now, as more companies invest in this technology, I can see there are major uses for it outside of a virtual world for social interaction. I see it as a 3D user experience which can have great educational value. It can be a more immersive experience for games and potential experiences like virtually traveling to other countries that would otherwise be too expensive to visit.

However, as more people jump into the Metaverse and the technology develops, I can see potential abuses and concerns for what this brings. Particularly, as mentioned in the article What is the Metaverse? An Explanation for People Who Don’t Get It, a woman reported she had been sexually harassed and “virtually gang-raped” in the metaverse. More instances of assault will undoubtedly appear. I think there could be a real concern for stalking, harassment, and even child exploitation. As property within the Metaverse becomes more valuable (perhaps intellectual property or virtual tokens) there could be instances of theft. There could also be privacy concerns with the technology. Although you appear to be in a virtual world, you are still in your living room (or wherever you are using your device) and the hardware is still seeing your surroundings. There could be potential for threat actors to hack your device and see inside your home. More concerning too is what information these platforms are storing or selling themselves.

In some areas, I think the law can be adapted to issues that arise in the metaverse, such as harassment or child exploitation. However, areas such as assault, stalking, or theft that we equate with some sort of physical connection as well, can be more challenging. The law will likely need to adapt to encompass more than just physical aspects associated with acts. Although it might not seem real to an outsider because it’s “virtual” in the Metaverse, there are real mental impressions these experiences leave on a user. When it comes to privacy associated with the device, a consent model (such as agreeing to terms of use) may not be enough, as many people want to use the device, but not understand what they are consenting too. There may need to be laws passed regulating exactly what information can be collected and what security measures must be implemented to protect users.