metaverse

The European Parliamentary Research Service briefing titled ‘Metaverse: Opportunities, Risks and Policy Implications’

The European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) published, on 24 June 2022, its briefing titled ‘Metaverse: Opportunities, Risks and Policy Implications’. While the exact scope and the effects of the metaverse on society are still unknown, it can already be seen that it will open up a range of opportunities and risks in a variety of policy areas.

In particular, the briefing summarises studies of the possible effects of metaverse platforms on several policy concerns, including competition, data protection, liability, financial transactions, cybersecurity, health, accessibility, and inclusiveness.

Shanghai Action Plan for Cultivating ‘Metaverse’ (2022-2025)

A policy paper released by the Shanghai city government on 8 July 2022 outlined its plan to develop a metaverse industry by the end of 2025.

The development plan refers to the Metaverse as a new generation of information technology integration and innovation that would drive the internet toward Web3. The innovation plan focuses on promoting the development of Metaverse-related industries and helping Beijing build a benchmark city for the digital economy.

The action plan aims at ‘strengthening cutting-edge technological breakthroughs’, focusing on virtual reality headsets, chips, cloud computing, and 5G technology.

Will the metaverse change our body language?

Body language and gestures are deeply embedded into us and are  acquired at birth. They also reflect our identity, including culture, sex, and age.

How will body language be transferred to virtual reality and the metaverse? Will we develop new types of gestures?

Some traditional habits, such as not using your hands too much to support your verbal arguments, may be changed, CNET argues:

My hands stayed too still. Moving my hands more and animating made my avatar more expressive. I had to learn to perform, in a sense, to better express myself as a human.

So far, in the metaverse frantic coverage, there is very little information on the impact on human communication, including changes in body language. It is not surprising. As CNET argues:

The most difficult things to do, programmatically, are the things that make us most human.

It remains to be seen if existing body language will adjust to the metaverse, or if virtual reality will nurture a new way of non-verbal communication.

Epic and Lego: how to protect children in Metaverse?

Epic Games (operated by Fortnite) and Lego have started a partnership to create a virtual space aimed at kids. The two companies will combine their respective expertise in online gaming.

A new element is that, at the outset of their partnership, they set three policy and governance principles for virtual spaces for children:

  • protect children’s right to play by making safety and well-being a priority;
  • safeguard children’s privacy by putting their best interests first;
  • empower children and adults with tools that give them control over their digital experience.

Safety and the rights of children are likely to be the first area where governance and policy rules for Metaverse will be developed.