South Korea’s Ethical Principles for the metaverse

The metaverse is anticipated to transform daily life through the convergence of AI, cloud computing, big data, blockchain, and extended reality. As it evolves, it promises to provide an immersive experience that transcends current online environments. The metaverse holds the potential for economic growth by harnessing creative and innovative opportunities. However, it also raises concerns about unethical behaviors, privacy invasion, data collection, and inequality. These ethical principles aim to guide society in addressing these issues to foster a creative and innovative metaverse ecosystem.

Core Values: The ethical framework for the metaverse revolves around three core values:

1. Sincere Identity: Individuals should be able to adopt and implement the values and roles of their virtual selves genuinely.
2. Safe Experience: The metaverse should be a safe space where individuals can explore and engage without physical, mental, or financial harm.
3. Sustainable Prosperity: The benefits of the metaverse should be sustainable, ensuring continuous development and innovation for future generations.

Scope and Target: These principles are designed for a wide range of stakeholders, including:

• Metaverse Developers: Individuals and organizations responsible for creating the metaverse platforms and content.
• Metaverse Operators: Those who maintain and manage the metaverse platforms.
• Metaverse Users: All entities that engage with and experience the metaverse.
• Other Stakeholders: Academia, investors, civil society, and the government, all of whom can be directly or indirectly impacted by the metaverse.

Practical Principles: To support the core values, eight practical principles have been outlined:

1. Authenticity: Ensuring that virtual selves can act truthfully and reliably within the metaverse.
2. Autonomy: Allowing individuals to make independent decisions and act without external pressure.
3. Reciprocity: Encouraging respectful and cooperative interactions within the metaverse.
4. Respect for Privacy: Protecting the private areas of users and preventing discomfort or harm.
5. Fairness: Providing equal opportunities for creativity and economic participation without discrimination.
6. Personal Information Protection: Safeguarding personal data and minimizing its collection and misuse.
7. Inclusiveness: Ensuring accessibility and non-discrimination based on physical, cultural, or socioeconomic differences.
8. Responsibility for the Future: Creating a metaverse that preserves human values and is sustainable for future generations.

Implementation

These ethical principles are not legally enforceable but serve as a “soft law” to guide voluntary compliance. They are designed to be integrated into the decision-making processes of individuals and organizations involved in the metaverse, promoting self-regulation and cooperative efforts to maximize the metaverse’s positive impact on society and the economy. Conflicts between principles should be resolved through stakeholder discussions, considering the specific context and situation.