Page 25 - TECH MAGAZINE CSE

AN Technical Magazine
VESHAN Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Technology

ALUMNI
CORNER

Ms Aarushi Saxena

ETHICS & PRIVACY IN METAVERSE

Metaverse is a virtual world that strings our imagination to real life. The word 'Metaverse'

combines the preface 'meta' (implying transcending) with the word 'universe'. First coined
in 1992 by American science fiction writer Neal Stephenson, Metaverse describes a
hypothetical systematic environment linked to the physical world that can be accessed

using a VR Headset or an AR Goggle, enabling one to visualise a virtual environment &
create an enthralling experience.

Privacy Concerns in the Metaverse
The Metaverse collects vast amounts of user data—ranging from traditional personal

information to sensitive metrics like biometrics, facial expressions, and social interactions.
This can potentially expose personal information, preferences, and behaviours to other
sites and companies without permission, thereby creating a danger and compromising the

privacy or trust of the user.
All activities in the metaverse carried out by users are tracked and monitored step by step
without any information regarding who has access to that data and for what purpose. The
lines of consent are hazy within the metaverse. Users lack control over their own data,
many times not even aware of what they are agreeing to in the 'terms and conditions',

which is full of jargon.
The Metaverse's immersive experiences complicate existing privacy concerns. Activities
are extensively tracked, resulting in a precise digital footprint. If this data is mishandled, it

may result in targeted advertising, behavioural profiling, or even identity theft. The
blending of virtual and actual identities increases potential risks since pseudonymous
avatars could be linked to real-world individuals, resulting in duplicate and fraudulent
identities.

Ethical Considerations in the Metaverse
The immersive nature of the Metaverse complicates ethical dynamics in virtual
interactions.