China has set its sights on influencing the burgeoning metaverse, a tech empire that promises vast virtual worlds, and its recent proposals bear striking parallels to the much-discussed social credit systems.
The proposals, drafted by the state-owned telecom operator China Mobile, highlight the creation of a “digital identity system” tailored to all metaverse users. This ID is intended to include both “natural features” and “social features”. Such characteristics include a range of personal data points, from a person’s occupation to ‘character identifiers’. A particularly strong recommendation within the proposals is that this collected information should be stored “permanently”. In addition, it must be accessible to law enforcement authorities, ensuring “the order and security of the virtual world”. The proposals were first reviewed and reported by Politico.
“Spreading Rumors and Creating Chaos”
To paint a clearer picture, the proposals outline an illustrative scenario. Enter “Tom”, a hypothetical metaverse user who disrupts the virtual peace. Tom “spreads rumors and causes chaos in the metaverse”. The proposed digital identity system would allow authorities to track down Tom quickly and then punish him.
These discussions are not limited to China’s borders. In fact, they form a segment of broader dialogues between global technology specialists and officials affiliated with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). This body, an arm of the United Nations, bears the responsibility of formulating global regulations that dictate the trajectory of technological evolution.
Chinese public and private stakeholders have striven to set global benchmarks for emerging technologies at ITU. Western officials have expressed concern at this approach, citing China’s intention to push for a more government-regulated model of the internet and telecommunications.
China’s Metaverse Plans
In a recent speech in June, Wu Zhong-ze, formerly deputy minister of China’s Ministry of Science and Technology, stressed the critical role the metaverse could play in various industries. His comments show the growing importance of the metaverse and, by extension, other Web3 technologies.
This recognition comes even as China imposes strict regulations around cryptocurrencies and NFTs. However, the country is not ignoring the potential haven of Web3 technologies, especially their ability to drive the growth of the digital economy.
Integration of Metaverse in key sectors
Central to Wu Zhong-ze’s message is the importance of connecting the metaverse in key economic sectors: education, commerce, healthcare and entertainment. He envisions a future where harnessing the metaverse could usher in transformative benefits, paving the way for unprecedented opportunities within these industries.
China is more than content with passive exploration. While the metaverse landscape is witnessing exponential growth, Wu Zhong-ze emphasized the compelling nature of industry benchmarking. These standards are not just guidelines; they are seen as the foundation that ensures the growth, stability and ethical progress of the metaverse ecosystem. By distinguishing clear parameters, China aims to create a metaverse arena that simultaneously nurtures innovation, promotes partnerships and mandates regulatory compliance.
China’s efforts to shape the future of the metaverse are clear. With a dual focus on regulation and innovation, the country wants to be at the forefront of this digital frontier. However, by intertwining technological advances with rigorous monitoring, the country is treading a thin line between innovation and restrictions on its users. The global community is watching closely, wary of the implications of such an oversight in China’s upside-down blueprint.