In partnership with the IEEE Standards Association, the Council of Europe has issued an extensive report assessing the potential effects of the Metaverse on human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. The report does a deep dive into those virtual opportunities and risks posed by the very immersive technologies that comprise this new frontier, stressing the importance of taking regulatory action to protect and preserve the basic virtual liberties of our global citizenry.
The Metaverse , an immersive, persistent, and interoperable digital environment , contains opportunities for significant advancements across many sectors, including entertainment, education, healthcare, and commerce. However, some experts fear that the Metaverse could bring with it big privacy risks. Indeed, the report analyzes the potential upsides and downsides of the upcoming tech revolution and warns that user data could be at risk in immersive spaces.
One of the main worries centres on the enormous amounts of data that could be collected. The Metaverse depends on technologies like augmented and virtual reality, which gather huge caches of personal information through wearable devices and other sensors.
These technologies have the potential to grab not only the usual sorts of data, like demographic information, but also biometric dat , such as the movements of our eyes, the expressions on our faces, and the gestures of our bodies. AR and VR can use this data to make the immersion feel seamless; but in the “what could go wrong” department, there’s so much more potential here for privacy invasion and even identity theft than in most other digital experiences.
The report recommends sturdy privacy frameworks to safeguard users, advocating for both privacy-preserving technologies and transparent data practices. It urges clear user consent and greater user control among companies operating in the Metaverse.
Web3: A Decentralized Future?
The next installment of the interne “Web3” will have its own set of consequences for the Metaverse and for the people who use it, according to the report. Unlike the current internet, which is dominated by a few large platforms, Web3 will be built on decentralized blockchain technologies, which could lead to a greater ability for users to control their data and digital assets.
In contrast to the Web 2.0 platforms that centralized tech companies control, Web 3.0 envisions a more democratic digital ecosystem where users have both ownership and governance over the platforms they inhabit. However, with this decentralization comes a big question mark over governance. Who ensures that our platforms operate effectively, efficiently, and fairly?
Overseeing decentralized platforms is no simple task. And while these platforms seem naturally suited to operate in an unregulated space, it’s important to understand that they could just as easily become lawless as any other unregulated space. The Council of Europe advises that existing legal frameworks be adapted to the new decentralized conditions.
Risks to Democracy and Free Expression
The Council of Europe Metaverse report looks at how the Metaverse can fundamentally alter how people communicate and interact socially, but it’s also a potential threat to free speech and democracy. The distraction-free environments of the Metaverse can be used to good effect, allowing users to have virtual town halls and even virtual elections. However, those same environments can also be used as a blank canvas to control what is seen and heard.
The important problem of content moderation often finds platforms turning to algorithms for assistance. However, the report points out that these algorithms “may lack the nuance to distinguish between legitimate expression and harmful content.” Moreover, users in the Metaverse can become trapped in “filter bubbles,” where they’re shown only content that aligns with their preexisting beliefs and opinions. This isn’t just a phenomenon of the virtual world but a hallmark of our current information ecosystem.
The Council of Europe emphasizes the importance of content moderation in protecting not just the right to expression but also the principles of democracy and good governance. Any content moderation policies should not only achieve these goals but also be transparent and allow for user appeal. Our increasing immersion in digital environments makes this a vital as well as a pressing issue, especially in terms of how persuasive and undetectable false narratives can be.
Safeguarding the Rights of Children
The Metaverse presents significant risks for children due to the lack of effective age verification systems. Current platforms fail to implement meaningful age checks, leaving children exposed to potentially harmful spaces. This concern has prompted the European Council to call for stricter regulations to ensure child safety in virtual environments.
A key priority for the European Council is the implementation of more stringent age-appropriate design features. Platforms must adopt robust age verification systems that provide an adequate level of protection for younger users. By doing so, these virtual spaces can offer a safer environment for children to explore without the risks associated with inappropriate content or interactions.
Additionally, the Council emphasizes the need for increased understanding of the augmented and mixed realities children will encounter in the Metaverse. It seeks to ensure that as technology evolves, platforms incorporate safety measures that align with the growing complexities of virtual experiences. Both policymakers and platform providers must collaborate to create a safer digital world where children can engage without compromising their well-being.
The demand for enhanced safety measures also includes a push for industry-wide convergence toward a shared standard of safety. The ultimate goal is to create an online environment where children are protected and can engage meaningfully without exposure to harm. The European Council’s call for action highlights the urgent need for reform to safeguard children in the ever-expanding Metaverse.
Governance and the Rule of Law
Ensuring proper governance of the Metaverse is no easy task. It is a virtual world operating across real-world borders and raises fundamental questions of jurisdiction, enforcement, and accountability. These are age-old problems of virtuality that our recent online tools have not resolved. Indeed, traditional legal frameworks are likely ill-suited to handle decentralized and borderless virtual environments , especially when it comes to addressing the real crimes that occur in these virtual worlds.
The report highlights the necessity of global teamwork in fashioning the new legal structures that will have to govern the Metaverse. The virtual world is just too vast for any one country to regulate on its own. As the Metaverse continues to expand, it will require not just the investment of governments and tech companies but the collaborative input of people all over the world. In recent months, the Council of Europe has been very active in this effort, and its most recent report is a fine overview of the current state of play and its recommendations for moving forward.
Final Thoughts
The Council of Europe stresses the urgent need for timely governance and regulation of the Metaverse and Web3 technologies. While these emerging technologies promise innovation and new forms of social engagement, they also introduce significant risks. The Council is particularly concerned about threats to privacy and identity, which could escalate without proper oversight. Additionally, the Council highlights the challenge of content moderation in these virtual environments, anticipating that current debates will pale in comparison to the governance issues posed by the evolving digital landscape. Addressing these concerns is crucial to ensure safe and responsible development.
