Speculating on the future, Mark Zuckerberg and many other proponents believe that the internet will transform into a metaverse in the near future. This “embodied internet,” as Zuckerberg calls it, faces numerous challenges, from technical implementation to gaining political acceptance, which we discussed in The Daily Bundle.
The greatest challenge that Facebook/Meta and other major entities face when investing in the metaverse is the issue of privacy. This skepticism from the public is understandable, as there have been numerous privacy concerns raised regarding the majority of IT companies that are in favor of the metaverse.
It is essential to consider the potential privacy implications of the metaverse before assessing its viability. Particular attention should be paid to the ways in which data is managed and stored, given the history of some of the organizations which support the concept.
Exasperatingly Numerous Queries
Frances Haugen, a former Facebook employee who recently came forward as a whistleblower, has informed the Associated Press that the company could potentially have increased influence over the internet if the metaverse is widely adopted. It appears that Haugen’s claims have some validity, yet the situation appears to be more complex than initially stated.
Facebook/Meta is likely to be a key proponent of the metaverse, but there are many other organisations and entities considering their involvement in its development. Therefore, while Meta may be a notable contributor, it is certainly not the only one.
In response to Haugen’s ideas, Facebook has stated its intent to construct the metaverse responsibly and affirmed that this endeavour is not something which can be achieved in a single day by a single company. The goal is to collaborate with experts, organisations and governments to ensure the metaverse is realised to its fullest potential.
It is clear that a public statement of purpose cannot be relied upon to provide reassurance, as the complexity and scope of the metaverse necessitate the cooperation of multiple stakeholders, a stringent oversight and an expansive interconnected network of devices. While the importance of implementation is undeniable, there is still a lack of knowledge regarding the specifics of the process.
Raising numerous questions, the implications of the burgeoning metaverse present a tricky conundrum which must be addressed. How will the metaverse acquire the necessary data to provide its hyper-personalized service? What kind of hardware is needed in a household to access the metaverse? Who will oversee the servers which power the metaverse? What steps will be taken to protect user privacy? How can non-profits ensure that businesses adhere to appropriate standards in the metaverse? Answering these questions is essential for the future of the metaverse.
There are just too many inquiries to mention them all.
The Unachievable Objective
Facebook/Meta has stated that it will take all necessary measures to reduce the amount of data used in the metaverse. Furthermore, the company has pledged to develop technologies that will enable users to have greater transparency and control over their data, while protecting their privacy. Given Facebook’s past experiences with claims of privacy violations, this appears to be a reasonable commitment.
Despite having some potential drawbacks, the Metaverse, as an extension of the existing internet, could be difficult to optimize in terms of the amount of data needed for it to operate. This is due to the requirement for developers to access extensive information regarding individual users in order to offer a personalized experience, rather than the generic customer service that would be available without the data.
Facebook is looking to provide users with a central location for their social and business activities. In order to accomplish this, data collected from users is necessary. Without it, it would be impossible to provide the features and services promised. Each transaction taking place on the platform is based on the exchange of information, and it is understandable that there may be some concerns about the data being “anonymously stored” and used to “better the platform”.
It is anticipated that the Metaverse will be comprised of various initiatives, even if Meta is successful in its ambitious aim of delivering an immersive virtual reality experience with minimal data collection. It is understandable why other organizations may seek to acquire data clandestinely.
I am hopeful that the necessary legislation will be passed in order to prevent abuses. Nevertheless, despite the regulations that are already in place, some businesses persist in disregarding them. It is imperative that this be addressed if the metaverse is to become a reality.
Mention must be made of the system’s underlying architecture in order for the metaverse to function. This would require an extensive network of remote servers, portable devices and sensors to be established, thereby providing a substantial attack surface for hackers. The vulnerabilities of IoT devices are well documented and it is highly likely that similar threats will be posed to the metaverse.
The protection of data is of paramount importance. To ensure the security of all information stored in the metaverse, strong and proactive measures must be put in place. As there is no ideal solution available, the metaverse must adopt a proactive cybersecurity strategy to reach its full potential.
It’s Essential That We Do More Research
At this point, you may be wondering why I have such strong opinions on the metaverse. It is undeniable that the metaverse is a captivating concept which could lead to various positive developments in society, much like the internet did when it was first made available to the general public in the 1990s. However, I am trying to be pragmatic in my approach.
There is a great deal of work to be done before the metaverse can be deemed a viable option. As we are already discussing the potential of the metaverse as the future of the internet, it is essential to consider the potential issues that could arise. While we may disagree over which of these issues is more pressing, it has become increasingly clear that everyone must feel secure from external threats.
It is important to recognise that, whilst I am not necessarily opposed to the concept of the metaverse, we must remain vigilant when it comes to the potential risks posed to privacy. We should not dismiss it out of hand, but it is essential that we have open discussions about the implications of the technology before we become too invested. With our recent experiences with social media, it is essential that we take a step back to consider the path that this technology might take us down in the future.
