A Brave New Virtual World
China is stepping into the metaverse with some pretty hefty proposals that could make even the most seasoned sci-fi writer raise an eyebrow. On August 20, POLITICO reported that state-owned China Mobile is advocating for a digital ID system to be implemented in online virtual worlds. This isn’t just any regular ID; it’s one that could track both your “natural characteristics” (whatever those entail) and your social features. Think about it—your metaverse persona might have a social security number and a job title. Talk about keeping it real!
The ‘Benefits’ of Digital IDs
What’s the primary goal of this digital identification system? To maintain “order and safety” in the virtual realm, of course! And how do they plan to do that? By collecting a treasure trove of personal information about users. This includes things you might expect, like your occupation, but also potentially more intrusive data. Imagine if every time you logged into your favorite virtual hangout, the authorities knew exactly who you were and what you did there.
Catching the Mischief Makers
There is an interesting metaphor being thrown around in support of this system. One example discussed was of a virtual troublemaker who spreads lies and chaos. “Why can’t we just take a few notes from our real-world playbook?” they asked. The digital ID could allegedly help law enforcement track down such nuisance users quickly—like a modern-day digital witch hunt.
A Sinister Parallel to Social Credit
This proposal is reminiscent of China’s infamous social credit system, which already has citizens at the mercy of a point-scoring mechanism that tracks their behavior. In 2018 alone, authorities blocked social offenders from purchasing plane tickets a whopping 17.5 million times and prevented 5.5 million others from getting train tickets. It raises the question: are we shaping a future where our digital existence is constantly under scrutiny?
Global Implications
The metaverse focus group of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will meet again in October to discuss these very proposals, and if they pass, they could significantly impact telecommunications and tech firms around the world. Can you imagine a universal standard for metaverse experiences that potentially tailors its rules around Chinese protocols? Talk about giving the phrase “big brother is watching” a whole new level of meaning!
Playing the Long Game
According to insiders, Chinese firms are pushing more metaverse proposals than those from the U.S. and Europe. One contributor firmly stated, “China is trying to play the long game,” as they prepare to set the standard for the metaverse as its usage expands. If their vision becomes a reality, users will have to ask themselves: “Do we really want a metaverse where our digital identity is monitored by government authorities?”
A Critical Choice Ahead
The decision of how the metaverse will be structured is looming large. As we sit on the cusp of a virtual evolution, policymakers around the world need to ponder whether they want their citizens’ experiences to be shaped by the surveillance lens of a foreign state. If we care about freedom and autonomy in our digital lives, we may need to start paying attention.
