The risks of the Metaverse

If someone asked you the question, “What do you think is the biggest risk of the metaverse?” what would you answer?

I was surprised when I asked this question to a friend, because I thought he would answer with a risk related to digital security; instead, he focused on a very important factor for human beings.

“The biggest risk is that of becoming alienated and losing the ability to have sensations rather than emotions, creating a strong detachment from what reality is.”

The Metaverse is a digital reality in which people connect, work and socialize. This platform can be seen as a vast online playground where users have the freedom to be anyone they desire. In fact, users have the ability to create avatars to immerse themselves in this parallel digital universe.

When it comes to technology, one thing is certain, its growth is quite rapid, and like the Internet, the Metaverse also presents several security and privacy issues. Certainly, it is a platform that can open up a range of opportunities but also a number of risks. First, we need to consider that the metaverse has extensive data tracking and profiling. To deliver personalized experiences, the platform is responsible for collecting a multitude of data on users’ actions, interactions and preferences. What is the purpose of collecting all this data? Mainly, to enhance user experiences, but it is still very unclear how this data is stored, shared and potentially misused. If there is one thing that digital security courses have taught us, it is that anything posted on the internet is no longer something we can control where it ends up. The same applies in the Metaverse. Every move we make and every word we say is

recorded, in order to improve our experience in the platform. In the metaverse, users can opt for anonymity or create digital personas. Anonymity has a positive side, which is to protect privacy, but it can inadvertently encourage malicious activities. In an article for Forbes magazine, Thanos Tsavlis, CEO of Cyberscope, describes this practice as follows: “Imagine the metaverse as a costume party. You can either go as yourself or dress up as someone entirely different. It’s fun, but it means people might not recognize the real you. And although there’s no harm in that, it could potentially be used to facilitate complex scams”. This new reality has already witnessed negative aspects. In fact, many users, through

their avatar have simulated sexual harassment or assault. Additionally, there is no shortage of hate speech, pornographic content, and misinformation. It is important to emphasize that when users interact through their avatars, situations that amount to violations of civil laws or even criminal laws can occur.

Apart from this, the metaverse can have a significant impact on mental and physical health. As a matter of fact, when this platform is overused, certain problems such as loneliness, reduced physical activities, and other problems that contribute to the desire to escape from the real world can increase. Obviously, these are problems that already exist, but this platform amplifies their prevalence.

One of the biggest issues concerns children. While it is true that the metaverse can offer them a different approach to education, such as increased motivation in learning and studying, it is important to emphasize that avatar interaction in the metaverse should by no means replace real human interaction. We find ourselves in years, where technology is there, it is with us and cannot be hidden. But for this very reason here we have to learn to live with it, take what positive things it has to offer us, in work, in education and even in our free time. However, it is important to remember that it should not replace real life.

It is good to consider that this is a reality, which although virtual, tries to closely resemble our world. For this reason, it is important to emphasize that it is not always possible to moderate how people behave or speak in the virtual world. Protecting against risks in the metaverse requires a combination of awareness, prudent behaviours, and the use of available tools and resources. For this reason, it is wise to know and stay updated on the potential risks of the metaverse and the internet. In the event of witnessing a crime committed in the metaverse, it is absolutely necessary to block or mute offensive users and report the incident to the relevant authorities (similar to filing a standard report). Furthermore, to protect oneself, it is advisable to avoid sharing sensitive information, keep platforms up to date, use complex passwords, and be aware of the presence of scams and fraud. Additionally, it is important to protect young individuals by teaching them the proper way to navigate it. The European Parliament has emphasized that that the privacy and data protection framework must also apply to the metaverse. Moreover, it has been requested to

review and update the GDPR, as it was not designed to address some of the challenges and complexities presented by the metaverse, such as the need to regulate data collected during unconscious behaviour.

This article does not aim to discourage the use of this platform at all; it simply aims to convey that like everything else, it carries risks, and it is important to be aware of them to defend oneself.