By Najah Walker

 

The idea of a metaverse is not a new concept.[1] The term “metaverse” was first coined by speculative fiction writer, Neal Stephenson, in his 1992 novel “Snow Crash”.[2] This concept was later expanded upon by Ernest Cline in his 2011 novel “Ready Player One”.[3] So, what exactly is a metaverse?

At this point in time, there is no universally accepted definition of the metaverse.[4] However, many consider it to be the eventual successor to the internet.[5] Venture capitalist, Matthew Ball, describes the metaverse as “an expansive network of persistent, real-time rendered 3D worlds that support continuity of identity, objects, history, payments, and entitlements.”[6] He discusses the key component to the metaverse, which is that it “can be experienced synchronously by [an] unlimited number of users [….].”[7] So, in simpler terms, the metaverse is the convergence of physical and virtual reality.[8] Facebook describes it as a “virtual space where you can create and explore with other people who aren’t in the same physical space as you.”[9]

It appears that to some extent, the metaverse has been around for a long time.[10] Many of the social elements of the metaverse have been found in video games such as Minecraft, Fortnite, and the social platform Second Life, which was created nearly twenty years ago.[11] However, those virtual reality games are not as advanced as what the complete metaverse will likely be because technology has significantly advanced since then.[12]

Late last year, Facebook changed its corporate name to Meta and announced plans to build a virtual-reality platform, Horizon Worlds.[13] Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, announced that the then-existing Facebook brand could not “represent everything that [they’re] doing today, let alone in the future” and the metaverse would serve as a place where people can “game, work and communicate in a virtual environment, often using [virtual reality] headsets.[14]

While Meta’s new virtual-reality platform may be the next major innovation, it poses dangers society may not be prepared for.[15] Weeks before Meta officially opened access to Horizon Worlds, a beta tester reported that she was sexually assaulted by a stranger on the platform.[16] Upon review of the incident, Meta found that the beta tester “should have” used a tool called “Safe Zone”.[17] This feature can be activated when users feel threatened, and it prevents other users from touching, talking to or interacting with their avatar until Safe Zone is lifted.[18]

Another user reported that “within 60 seconds of joining” she was verbally and sexually harassed by three to four male avatars, with male voices.[19] This woman was conducting research for Kabuni Ventures, a technology company, when the assault occurred.[20] The woman also reported that she received comments from others calling her experience a “pathetic cry for attention” and encouraging her not to choose a female avatar next time.[21]

These negative experiences beg the question: are we truly prepared for an unregulated metaverse? Joseph Jones, president of an investigative agency specializing in cyber media, says that it is unlikely that there would be a strong legal case for sexual assault in the metaverse.[22] This is largely because avatars could be anonymous and difficult to track.[23] Also, it may be difficult for victims to find law enforcement agencies “legitimately willing to help.”[24] It appears that remedies for victims of sexual assault in the metaverse may be limited.[25] Still, there has been a call for the industry to introduce more effective anti-harassment features and safety measures.[26] Hopefully, as the metaverse continues to emerge and develop, it becomes a safe and inclusive place for all.

 

[1] Brian X. Chen, What’s All the Hype About the Metaverse, N.Y. Times (Jan. 18, 2022), https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/18/technology/personaltech/metaverse-gaming-definition.html.

[2] Id.

[3] Id.

[4] Adi Robertson & Jay Peters, What Is the Metaverse and Do I Have to Care?, The Verge (Oct. 4, 2021), https://www.theverge.com/22701104/metaverse-explained-fortnite-roblox-facebook-horizon.

[5] Id.

[6] Chen, supra note 1.

[7] Id.

[8] Id.

[9] Robertson & Peters, supra note 4.

[10] Chen, supra note 1.

[11] Id.

[12] Id.

[13] Daniel Thomas, Facebook Changes Its Name to Meta in Major Rebrand, BBC (Oct. 28, 2021), https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-59083601.

[14] Id.

[15] Tanya Basu, The Metaverse Has a Groping Problem Already, MIT Technology Review (Dec. 15, 2021), https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/12/16/1042516/the-metaverse-has-a-groping-problem/.

[16] Id.

[17] Id.

[18] Id.

[19] Michelle Shen, Sexual Harassment in the Metaverse? Woman Alleges Rape in Virtual World, USA Today (Jan. 31, 2022), https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2022/01/31/woman-allegedly-groped-metaverse/9278578002/.

[20] Id.

[21] Id.

[22] Id.

[23] Id.

[24] Id.

[25] Id.

[26] Id.

Image source: https://www.businessinsider.com/metaverse-zuckerberg-facebook-virtual-world-leave-people-behind-2021-12