The UAE minister of state for artificial intelligence has said that murders committed in the metaverse should be illegal. This article examines the security and regulation of activities in the metaverse and the need for international regulation. Whether or not such outlawment is needed is a separate issue. Ultimately, the question of whether or not metaverse murders should be illegal remains to be seen.
UAE minister
A United Arab Emirates (UAE) minister has called for the enactment of new metaverse laws. He said the real nature of the virtual world will facilitate terrorist activities, and that WhatsApp messages are merely texts. The UAE minister also called on the International Telecommunication Union to hold discussions to establish global safety standards for metaverse users. This would prevent Internet users from being exposed to child pornography, drug trafficking, and other harmful content.
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Despite the challenges posed by the metaverse, some researchers are optimistic about the future of the industry. Atlantis’ Chris Cox, chief product officer, explained that the company is working to establish international metaverse standards, similar to the existing rating system for content on the web. This would help parents understand the rules in their child’s environment. He also cited the example of the rollout of a vaccine in the UAE. UAE minister of artificial intelligence has said that the UAE needs to integrate AI in all areas of society.
Security requirements for the metaverse
A new type of virtual reality, the metaverse, is expected to be a huge market. In fact, Microsoft, a pioneer of the virtual world, is currently using it as a venue for virtual meetings. Microsoft executives are concerned that cyber attacks and social engineering could infiltrate metaverse platforms. As early adopters, they are likely to have to face some of the same concerns about security and privacy as other virtual worlds.
Cybersecurity concerns should be paramount for the metaverse. Since the metaverse relies on digital devices, there is a high risk of hackers getting into users’ devices and data. Personal data captured by wearable devices could be exploited by blackmail plots or social engineering schemes. This also presents problems for intellectual property, which is harder to protect. Cybersecurity for the metaverse may be more important than safeguarding your smartphone.
International regulation of activities in the metaverse
The term “metaverse” describes a hybrid of virtual reality and augmented reality. It has recently gained currency as companies invest in this emerging technology and stake their claim on virtual real estate in the metaverse. As the technology advances, lawsuits and trademark applications are surfacing. As this area continues to evolve, it will become critical for companies to monitor and protect their intellectual property. Here are three key areas to consider.
First, government officials should assess the risks posed by emerging technologies. They must establish proactive relationships with major tech firms in order to understand their risks and develop a strategy to mitigate them. They must also be transparent about their activities in the metaverse so that they can be held accountable if harmful events occur. Second, international regulation of the metaverse should ideally follow the framework outlined in the draft Digital Services Act and the AI Regulation being developed in the EU. Such a framework may serve as a baseline for democratic countries to follow.
Regulation of content in the metaverse
According to a U.N. United Nations agency, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) should establish international standards for content in the metaverse. Unlike the real world, where people can use avatars to enter and leave the world at will, the virtual world must adhere to international standards. This would prevent the spread of child pornography and drug trafficking. The ITU was unavailable for comment.
Another issue that should be addressed is the legal boundaries of conduct in the virtual world. Recently, Roblox sued a content creator Benjamin Robert Simon for violating the company’s terms of service. The suit also alleges that he violated state and federal computer fraud statutes. Another recent case involves the Facebook VR platform Horizon World and its beta tester’s complaint of virtual groping in a virtual meeting room.