Metacrimes are crimes that occur in the metaverse. (Representative image)
Apple Vision Pro or more new The tools, which are intended for Australians, will allow for immersive, 3D online environments, also known as metaverses. Launched in Australia this month, it will allow users to take a (virtual) walk through the savannah from their living room, attend a sports game in an immersive environment, or even buy a home after completing a virtual inspection.
But these new online environments also have the potential to allow for new crimes.
Meta Crimes Only those crimes that occur in the metaverse. We challenge our definitions of crimes in the digital realm, because they do not fit into current crime reporting and investigation schedules.
Noso New study It addresses this problem by highlighting the key characteristics of super crimes. The better we understand these crimes, the better able we will be to combat them.
Metaverse, metacrime and cybercrime
Metaverse is a vague term that creates a kind of 3D virtual world that users access through a virtual reality device.
The 2018 movie Ready Player One gives a good idea of what the metaverse will look like. Don’t shoot, people put on special eyes and choose their own avatar to enter a huge, interactive digital world where we can do anything.
Our investigation found that crimes committed in the Metaverse are just as common as traditional cybercrimes. For example, both involve different types of illegal activities that take place online or in virtual spaces. As technology advances, these crimes are becoming more global and anonymous. This makes it impossible to catch the perpetrators.
But we also find a series of characteristics of major crimes that are no more superior to traditional cybercrime.
Unique characteristics of two major crimes
One such resource is immersive virtual reality attacks, which appear real through Immersion and spatial presence.
Immersion is created by a series of sensory techniques in audio, including visual, acoustic, and haptic (touch). This creates a sense of spatial presence that allows the user to perceive and experience the virtual space as real. This means that negative experiences, such as violence and sexual assault, also feel real.
Unless you record your non-constant interactions with your earbuds, conclusive evidence of unpleasant interactions will not be captured. Some companies create user controls, such as Insurance policy Which can be activated around your avatar. However, we still don't have enough research to know if this is effective.
Our study suggests that the impact of major crimes will also be exacerbated for vulnerable populations, particularly children, who make up a large proportion of active metaverse users. Difficulties in verifying children’s identities online raise additional concerns about personal care and minor abuse.
These risks are not hypothetical.
In 2022, researchers at the Center for Countering Digital Hate will conduct 11 hours and 30 minutes of recorded user interactions on Oculus and the little-known VRChat platform. is found Users, including children, encounter abusive behavior approximately every seven minutes.
Bullying and sexual assault were also common, and minors were often manipulated into using racist slurs and promoting extremist ideas.
In January 2024, UK police launched their first case of aggravated rape after a 16-year-old girl's avatar was attacked. Police Tell The victim suffers psychological and emotional trauma similar to an attack in the physical world.
The outcome of the case is currently pending and will likely set a legal precedent for protecting minors in the metaverse. At present, major crimes present new challenges in defining, measuring, and investigating liability, two avatars that traditional cybercrimes do not typically face.
There are also other risks, including hacking and the impact on people’s environment. Manipulation of VR technologies, such as haptic wings that allow users to physically interact with virtual spaces, also allows perpetrators to inflict direct physical harm on users.
This may include causing harm. visual vertigo, I listenAnd Neurological symptoms.
Where are we going here?
Big tech companies like Apple, Meta, and Microsoft are also Investment Powerfully transforming the metaverse, it develops hardware and software to improve its platforms. Research firm Gartner available By 2026, 25% of people will spend at least one hour a day on work, shopping, education, social networking and entertainment.
These predictions may not be too far off the mark. The National Online Safety Survey was conducted by the Australian eSafety Commission in 2022. is found 49% of metaverse users have accessed the metaverse at least once a month in the past year.
It is therefore imperative that governments and technology companies develop metaverse-specific legal and regulatory frameworks to protect immersive virtual environments. National and international legal frameworks contain the new characteristics of the major crimes we have identified. Law enforcement will require He presses In reports and investigations of major crimes.
Not last, as companies are keen on the responsible use of new technologies – more I don't take responsibility When their platforms are used for crimes and harm. Meanwhile, tech leaders are doing what researchers are now calling for.”smart apology request(For example, “I’m sorry you experienced this on our platform.”)
But this is not a difficult problem to solve, Metaverse companies must include clear regulatory frameworks for their virtual environments, to make them safe for all who will inhabit them.
If this article raises issues for you or if you are concerned about something you know, call Lifeline 13 11 14.
The National Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Advice Line – 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) – is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for any Australian who has experienced or is at risk of experiencing family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
(Authors:Down BurnoutProfessor of Technology and Crime, Griffith University, Griffith University; Kai LinProfessor of Criminology, School of International Studies and Education, University of Technology Sydney; Milind TiwariProfessor of Fraud and Criminal Finance Studies, Charles Sturt UniversityAnd Chu's voiceDottorando, Faculty of Social Sciences, Monash University)
(Information Disclosure Statement:The research is funded by Charles Sturt University. You Zhu is affiliated with Monash University. Ausma Bernot, Kai Lin and Milind Tiwari do not work for, consult, accept contributions to or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article and disclose no relevant affiliations beyond their academic name)
This article was republished from to talk Under a Creative Commons license. Leah O. Original Artego.
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