China has released proposals pointing to an imminent effort to fully control the workings of the metaverse, an emerging concept of interconnected virtual worlds. The proposals, developed by state-owned telecommunications giant China Mobile, aim to create a “Digital Identity System” for metaverse users.
The metaverse concept has gained notoriety and attention for its promise of offering a network of immersive virtual worlds. These are powered by technologies such as virtual and augmented reality, and have applications ranging from gaming to conferences and live events.
Tech giant Meta, formerly known as Facebook, is a leading advocate of this view.
China wants absolute control of the Metaverse
China’s proposals contain disturbing details. For example, they suggest that the user’s digital ID contains detailed personal information such as occupation and “character identifiers”.
More troubling is the recommendation that this data be “permanently” shared with authorities to maintain order and security in virtual worlds.
An example cited in the proposals highlights a fictional user named “Tom” who causes trouble in the metaverse. The proposed system allowed Tom to be quickly identified and punished.
While this may seem like an effective way to deal with disruptive behavior, the implications for user privacy and freedom are profound.
China has tried to influence global standards before. Such proposals are part of talks between China and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which is responsible for setting rules for the technology’s global operation.
This attempt at regulation is in line with China’s previous efforts to promote a more state-controlled version of the Internet, something that has already set alarm bells ringing in the West.
social credit system
Chris Kremidas-Courtney of a European think tank notes that China’s proposals bear alarming similarities to the country’s social credit system.
This system, which assesses citizens’ trustworthiness across multiple domains and can restrict access to services based on unacceptable behavior, has been widely criticized for its invasive and punitive nature.
The social credit system, first proposed in 2014, has already been implemented in various forms by Chinese government agencies. The implications of combining such systems with the vastness of the metaverse should not be underestimated.
An additional detail to consider is the role of the ITU. As a UN entity, the ITU has great influence in defining the rules for global technology infrastructure.
Join us in Shanghai July 4-6 for our #metaverse focus group followed by a forum on July 7 and are part of important pre-standardization efforts.
With int #standards we can create worldwide access to knowledge and technology for #metaverse to benefit everyone everywhere.https://t.co/4IrlYExOjW pic.twitter.com/3XAiCu90zz— International Telecommunication Union (@ITU) July 3, 2023
There have previously been concerns about China trying to set standards through the ITU, and the recent reverse proposal adds to those fears.
It should be noted that China is not the only one interested in the metaverse’s potential. However, the proposed approach reflects a certain view of governance and control that may not be in line with the values of other countries and international companies.
Courtney argues that China wants to position itself as a leader in metaverse development, a vision that coincides with its digital ambitions in other areas. He adds that setting standards is an effective way to shape the future of technology.
Ultimately, as China continues to push for its view of the metaverse and other global standards, Western companies and governments will ultimately have to decide how willing they are to accept that view. The metaverse debate is just one example of the growing geopolitical tensions in the digital age.
Source: Live Coins
Barry Siefert is an accomplished journalist and author at The Nation View. He is known for his expertise in the field of cryptocurrency, and has written extensively on the topic. With a background in finance and economics, Barry has a deep understanding of the underlying technology and market forces that drive the crypto industry.
