China Mobile proposes a digital identity system to regulate the metaverse, which raises privacy concerns due to the collection of personal data. The proposed system faces criticism as it collects and stores personal information and is similar to China’s social credit system. Despite the criticism, China’s metaverse industry is projected to grow exponentially, with a projected growth of 40% by 2023.
China’s telecom operator China Mobile has launched a “digital identity system” to regulate the metaverse and prevent the spread of chaos or rumors in the digital world.
While China may have banned cryptocurrency-related activities, it is in a full stage of preparing for the metaverse. However, privacy champions have questioned the digital identity system.
China Wants to Collect Personal Data from Metaverse Users
According to Politico, China’s digital identity system for the metaverse bears striking similarities to its social credit system. The digital identity system would be designed to collect personal data from the user, such as their occupations, identifying signs and other similar data.
China Mobile has proposed a digital ID for all users of metaverses and online virtual worlds that works with “natural features” and “social features.”
According to the proposal, “to maintain the order and security of the virtual world”, the DNI would house a lot of personal information and identifying signs, including the person’s work, and suggests that these data be permanently stored and shared with the authorities.
Additionally, China Mobile has suggested that law enforcement permanently store this data to maintain a secure environment in the metaverse. It believes that personal data could help police investigate bad guys in the virtual world.
The United Nations information and communication agency, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), launched a task force for the regulation of the metaverse in December 2022.
The Politico report mentions that the metaverse group will likely vote on China’s proposal this October. However, as the proposal has similarities with the social credit system, it has received strong criticism from experts. Chris Kremidas-Courtney from Friends of Europe said the following:
“To build a unified digital identity system, to give every human being a unique digital ID that includes social characteristics of social media and occupation, that looks a lot like China’s social credit system.”
China’s social credit system is a regulatory framework for rating an individual’s trustworthiness. A low score can lead to various blacklists, including blocking the person’s access to public transport.
Meanwhile, various forecasts show that China’s metaverse industry is on its way to exponential growth. In April, BeInCrypto reported that China’s metaverse industry is expected to grow 40% by 2023.
According to Statista, the metaverse industry will grow at least seven times by 2030. This year, the sector is worth $12.6 billion, and is projected to reach a valuation of $87.6 billion in the next few years. seven years.
Metaverse Surveillance
Not only China but several other countries are also exploring metaverse surveillance. In May 2023, Hong Kong launched CyberDefender Metaverse to address metaverse crimes such as fraud, hacking, theft, and sex crimes.
Prior to that, in October 2022, INTERPOL launched a metaverse for law enforcement around the world. And Dubai’s Ajman Police became the first police agency to serve across the metaverse.
By Audy Castaneda
