The Metaverse Ethics: Control, Ownership and Privacy

20 March 07:48

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## TL; DR
The key moral problems with the metaverse center on personal privacy, ownership of assets and their control.

The current state of most metaverse platforms may result in infringement of personal privacy.

Currently, the metaverse does not have standing regulations that govern ownership and transfer of virtual assets.

Metaverse users can protect themselves through using VPNs, strong passwords and firewalls.

## Introduction 
The metaverse, powered by various internet technologies like virtual reality (VA), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and extended reality, supports key blockchain products such as VR games, metaverse casinos, virtual real estate and avatars, among others. In this article, we cover moral problems the metaverse poses and how you can protect yourself.

## The growing popularity of the metaverse
The popularity of the [metaverse increased in 2021](https://www.gate.io/th/blog_detail/655/--------------------Metaverse-----------------------------------------3---------- "metaverse increased in 2021") as various use cases emerged. For example, industries can simplify their day-to-day activities by using the metaverse, thereby saving much time.

Likewise, the metaverse has opened new investment opportunities, communication systems and expanded education as well as engagement programmes. Already, it can enable shopping in online stores, holding virtual classrooms, trading digital assets, improved customer service, use of virtual meeting rooms and ownership of digital assets.

However, the growth of the metaverse has resulted in several ethical and social challenges as well as criminal activities which negatively affect its users. Before exploring these issues let’s briefly discuss the metaverse concept. 
Related article: [Doing Business in the Metaverse: Opportunity or Threat?](https://www.gate.io/blog_detail/425/new-business-in-the-metaverse-doing-business-in-the-metaverse-opportunity-or-threat "Doing Business in the Metaverse: Opportunity or Threat?")

## What is the metaverse? 
The metaverse is [an immersive virtual world](https://www.gate.io/learn/articles/what-is-the-metaverse/39 "an immersive virtual world"), created by internet technologies like virtual reality and augmented reality, where people interact with one another in a way similar to what they do in a real world setup. Basically, the metaverse makes people have a sense of real-time interaction and immersion. In addition, thousands of individuals can interact at the same time.

![](https://gimg2.gateimg.com/image/article/1679269665meta1.png)
The metaverse - [Verdict.co](https://www.verdict.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Shutterstock_2084975704.jpg "Verdict.co")
## Major Metaverse challenges

As you may expect, the key metaverse challenges relate to personal privacy, ownership and control of digital assets.

## Privacy problems in the metaverse

There are many issues surrounding personal privacy in the metaverse which every user should be aware of. First off, businesses operating in the metaverse collect much personal data from the users. Nevertheless, it is not always definite how they will use such data.

A related concern is that the metaverse users have very limited control on how the concerned firms use their data which may lead to the misuse of their private information. It is also not very definite as to who else can access the individual metaverse users’ personal data.

It is also worth noting that in case of malicious attack the metaverse the private data may go into the hands of the malicious actors leading to its misuse.

The technology used in the metaverse like VR headsets has eye-tracking technology which may enable advertisers and other interested parties to notice what the individuals look at and for how long. They can also study their reactions to certain events which they can use in their marketing activities.

![](https://gimg2.gateimg.com/image/article/1679269702meta2.png)
Metaverse and privacy- [Nikkei](https://www.ft.com/__origami/service/image/v2/images/raw/https%253A%252F%252Fs3-ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com%252Fpsh-ex-ftnikkei-3937bb4%252Fimages%252F2%252F4%252F4%252F9%252F39219442-1-eng-GB%252Fphoto_SXM2022021500001571.png?width=700&fit=cover&gravity=faces&dpr=2&quality=medium&source=nar-cms "Nikkei")

## Ownership of digital assets
Another key question relating to the metaverse regards the ownership and usage of digital assets. In other words, who really owns the digital assets created in the metaverse: is it the content creator or the metaverse firm? For example, the users develop accessories, virtual art and weapons that may be used in metaverse games. Currently, there is no clarity as who owns these digital creations and who controls how they are used. 
Also, it is not yet definite as to who can use or profit from the digital assets that exist in the metaverse such as real-estate. Since there is a possibility that people will use some of these digital assets as collateral for loans, there are no parameters, rules and regulations that govern the agreements.

Read also: [Top 5 Metaverse Projects](https://www.gate.io/blog_detail/474/top-5-metaverse-projects "Top 5 Metaverse Projects")

Some metaverse firms state that individuals in the metaverse own certain digital assets like real estate and land. However, there are no clear cut guidelines on how these investors control and dispose of these digital assets. In such circumstances, institutional investors including venture capitalists will not invest in the metaverse. They will only put their funds when there are definite laws that govern how the virtual worlds operate.

The other pertinent topic relating to the metaverse is the law which parties can use if there are disagreements over contracts and control of the property. As we know, the people who use the metaverse are from different countries. Therefore, it remains very difficult to identify the law which can be used to resolve legal disputes over rights, agreements  and ownership of the digital assets.

## Control related problems 
There are several metaverse issues centered on legislations that govern the virtual worlds. Some control issues relate to the governance and administration of the metaverse.

For example, the first aspect is about the legislation that dictates the content users create within the metaverse. The key aspect is about the nature of the content the creators should include in the virtual worlds and who should permit or disallow it. If the metaverse allows the creation and distribution of all sorts of content then there will be a moral dilemma.

Another area of concern pertains to the control of digital currencies and e-stores that exist in the metaverse. For instance, people want to know the roles which involved parties, including governments, investors and consumers, play in the control or administration of these online stores and the products they sell. 
As we may anticipate, people will use the metaverse as platforms to express their political and other activist activities. Therefore, that may call for the interference of third parties like governments to control the extent of activism that occurs in these virtual environments.

What remains unclear is the level of political control and regulations necessary to control such activities. Even more, what is not certain at the moment is the impact of such control on freedom of expression and democracy.

Read also: Game-Fi: [The Key To The Metaverse](https://www.gate.io/blog_detail/204/hot-spots-game-fi-the-key-to-the-metaverse "The Key To The Metaverse")

## The other challenges related to the metaverse
Although we have discussed metaverse legal issues, privacy ethics as well as the ownership and control of digital assets in the metaverse, it has many other disadvantages such as lack of interoperability and access inequality. Let’s explore several key metaverse problems.

It is difficult for parents to control what kids do in the metaverse since there is no way to monitor what they do.

Users who spend much time in the metaverse may have withdrawal symptoms when they come back to the real world. This is because there are VR “hangovers” which include sadness and depression.

Only people who are rich can afford to use the metaverse as it requires expensive tools like handset technology and the latest smartphones. This creates inequality between the poor and the rich in using the virtual worlds. 
、
The metaverse may desensitize the behavior of the people who spend much time there. For example, people who use guns to shoot others in the virtual world are more likely to find it easy to kill others in the physical world.

Artificial intelligence (AI) systems can generate and spread wrong information which may result in financial losses or lack of accountability.

Cybercrimes such as thefts, hacking, internet fraud and identity theft are likely to be rampant in the metaverse.

Metaverse users may also experience sexual harassment through unsolicited explicit messages, rude remarks as well as improper sexually graphic images.

Related article: [Why AI Focused Cryptocurrencies are Outperforming Bitcoin?](https://www.gate.io/blog_detail/2239/ai-focused-cryptocurrencies-outperforming-bitcoin "Why AI Focused Cryptocurrencies are Outperforming Bitcoin?")
## How to protect yourself in the metaverse
When you interact with others in the metaverse you should protect yourself from the potential dangers that we have discussed above such as cyberbullying and identity theft. 
The general, yet very important precautions include using strong passwords, two-factor authentication, firewalls and VPNs. These help to secure your metaverse accounts as well as your electronic gadgets.

![](https://gimg2.gateimg.com/image/article/1679269683meta3.png)
Protecting yourself in the metaverse - [Cointelegraph](https://images.cointelegraph.com/images/1024_aHR0cHM6Ly9zMy5jb2ludGVsZWdyYXBoLmNvbS9zdG9yYWdlL3VwbG9hZHMvdmlldy83NWEzZjhiOGMyZDNiYjQ1ODk3YWQxMzFjZTNhZDU4NS5qcGc=.jpg "Cointelegraph")
Secondly, you should read and understand the terms and conditions of the virtual worlds that you are using. This is because some of these spell out ownership rules as well as applicable control measures.

One should be careful when sharing information with the people he/she interacts with in the metaverse. This calls for someone to analyze carefully  any requests for personal information he/she gets from other virtual world users. Nevertheless, it is important never to give strangers your sensitive data.

In some cases, it will be necessary to block or report to the moderators anyone who behaves inappropriately towards you. As a fact, it is best to avoid conversing with strangers. It is also important to keep a watch for phishing attempts. In most cases, phishing involves tricking the user to divulge personal information such as passwords.

Take a look at [Top Metaverse Coins & Tokens](https://www.gate.io/price/view/metaverse "Top Metaverse Coins & Tokens")

## Conclusion
In all, there is an increase in the adoption of the metaverse by businesses and individuals. However, it is important to understand how the virtual worlds you are dealing with operate to avoid infringement on your privacy and rights. In addition, all metaverse users should protect their personal data and be vigilant against cyberbulling, sexual harassment and phishing.

<div class="blog-details-info">
<div>Author:** Mashell C.**, Gate.io Researcher
<div class="info-tips">\*This article represents only the views of the researcher and does not constitute any investment suggestions.
<div>\*Gate.io reserves all rights to this article. Reposting of the article will be permitted provided Gate.io is referenced. In all cases, legal action will be taken due to copyright infringement.
</div>

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TL；DR

Introduction

The growing popularity of the metaverse

What is the metaverse?

Major Metaverse challenges

Privacy problems in the metaverse

Ownership of digital assets

Control related problems

The other challenges related to the metaverse