However, China aims to control the development of virtual worlds.
The government has suggested applying social credit-like systems to new technologies within the metaverse. This resembles China's existing surveillance and evaluation system, the social credit system, which scores citizens based on trustworthiness. Those with lower scores face restrictions. China now plans to integrate this concept into the metaverse.
China Mobile, a state-owned telecommunications operator, proposed using digital identity systems for metaverse access, influenced by the social credit system. This raises privacy concerns and stifles freedom of expression. These proposals are not limited to China, as they have been conveyed to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a UN agency.
China aims to shape global metaverse adoption, posing potential challenges to privacy. The ITU is likely to vote on these proposals in October, impacting the future of the metaverse. China's metaverse aspirations prompt the question:
Do we want a world where our identities are determined and monitored by authorities? đđ€đ