As various industries across the globe have jumped on the metaverse bandwagon, South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) has revealed the first draft of the core ethical principles for metaverse.
The step is taken to define essential principles that are fundamental for growing adoption and participation in the metaverse. The science ministry describes three values for the metaverse participants as an intact self-identity, safe enjoyment, and sustainable prosperity.
To practice the three values, the ministry proposed eight core principles to maintain the decorum of the virtual space. The principles include authenticity, reciprocity, autonomy, data protection, fairness, respect for privacy, responsibility, and above all, inclusion.
Currently, MSIT is focusing on incorporating opinions from experts, industries, relevant departments, and civic organizations. Once it’s done, the ministry will finalize the draft by the end of this year so that these principles can be applied to actual use cases of the metaverse.
The ministry also emphasized that there are rising concerns surrounding interaction on the virtual platform when it comes to the protection of youth, copyright, and personal information. While big tech companies are shaping up the metaverse, it has become critical to make the virtual space experience safe, secure, and inclusive.
With such core principles to follow, unethical activities like harassment, abuse, and bullying can be reduced which will ultimately ease participation in the metaverse.
