A shocking case of virtual sexual assault in the metaverse has sparked a debate about the risks and responsibilities of online platforms. The incident involved a young girl in the UK who was allegedly gang-raped by several avatars while playing an immersive game in the metaverse using a virtual reality headset. The police are investigating the case, which is said to be the first of its kind in the UK.
The metaverse is a term used to describe a collection of 3D virtual environments that can be accessed through various devices, such as VR headsets, smartphones, and computers. Users can create and customize their own avatars, interact with other users, and explore different worlds and experiences. Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook, is one of the leading proponents of the metaverse, and has invested billions of dollars in developing the concept and hiring thousands of staff to work on it.
However, the metaverse is not a utopia, and it can also be a place where users can encounter harassment, abuse, and violence. According to SumOfUs, a corporate accountability group, the avatar of a 21-year-old researcher was sexually assaulted in Meta’s virtual reality platform Horizon Worlds in 2022. The group says that virtual assaults can have a lasting emotional and psychological impact on the victims, and that Meta needs to do more to prevent and address such harms in the metaverse.
Meta says that it has introduced safety tools in Horizon Worlds, such as Personal Boundary, which stops other avatars from coming too close to the user’s avatar, and Report and Block, which allows users to report and block abusive or inappropriate behavior. The company also says that it wants everyone in Horizon Worlds to access the safety procedures and help them investigate and take action.
However, some experts and activists argue that these measures are not enough, and that there is a need for more regulation and oversight of the metaverse. They point out that the metaverse is not a single space, and that different platforms and games may have different rules and standards. They also warn that the metaverse may pose new challenges and dangers for children and teenagers, who may not be aware of the risks or how to protect themselves.
The case of the virtual rape in the metaverse is a wake-up call for the digital society. It shows that the metaverse is not a harmless fantasy, but a complex and evolving reality that can have real consequences for the users and the society. It also raises questions about the ethical and legal implications of the metaverse, and the role and responsibility of the platforms and the users in ensuring a safe and respectful online environment.