Interpol Plans to Patrol Metaverse to Crush Virtual Crimes 

• The interpol is making plans to squeeze crimes in metaverse space.
• Global agency’s secretary general states the new technology is a way for bad actors to commit crime, and they need to find ways to prevent it.
• Highlight on cases of last year displaying the dark side of the virtual world.

The INTERPOL (International Criminal Police Organization) is planning to police the metaverse. The Secretary General Jurgen Stock claims that the organization is planning to tackle such crimes that can be encountered in the virtual world. 

What do the officials stated?

Mr Stock stated recently: “Criminals are sophisticated and professional in very quickly adapting to any new technological tool that is available to commit crime. We need to sufficiently respond to that. Sometimes lawmakers, police, and our societies are running a little bit behind.”

According to BBC News, an investigation around sexual and verbal harassment inside VR games was caught in 2022. Late last year, another news story claimed that a 21-year-old researcher’s avatar (digital copy) was physically abused in Meta’s (former Facebook) VR division Horizon Worlds. Among crimes at present includes assaults, verbal harassment, also ransomware, money laundering, frauds, etc. 

Interpol has made its own virtual reality (VR) space, which will enable users to get involved in virtual events and attend training. “The virtual world allows INTERPOL to offer immersive training to law enforcement across the globe,” states the official website.

In October 2022, the organization launched a global police metaverse at 90th Interpol General Assembly in New Delhi, India. During the event, an important point was addressed: “As the number of metaverse users grows and the technology further develops, the list of possible crimes will only expand to potentially include crimes against children, data theft, money laundering, financial fraud, counterfeiting, ransomware, phishing, and sexual assault and harassment.”

With bigger Tech, come Biggest Responsibility 

Under its technology assessment report on metaverse in October 2022, Interpol describes it as the next stage of the internet. Including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and edge computing. It can prove to be a “complete game changer” for every industry, including “crime and law enforcement.” 

According to a news website, the UAE (United States of Emirates) government launched a headquarters in the metaverse last year. The crowned prince of Dubai, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has a goal to generate 40,000 virtual jobs in the upcoming years. Dubai is matching the heights of Burj Khalifa in terms of a metaverse development project.

Interpol’s executive director of technology and innovation, Dr. Madan Oberoi noted: “If you look at the definitions of these crimes in physical space, and you try to apply it in the metaverse, there is a difficulty. We don’t know whether we can call them a crime or not, but those threats are definitely there, so those issues are yet to be resolved.”

Nancy J. Allen is a crypto enthusiast and believes that cryptocurrencies inspire people to be their own banks and step aside from traditional monetary exchange systems. She is also intrigued by blockchain technology and its functioning.

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