This Report Highlights Data Privacy Concerns in The Metaverse

• Data privacy has become one of the major concerns globally.
• This report points that it can be rather difficult to attain it in the metaverse.

Data privacy has become a primary concern of almost all the users persisting on the internet. We have traveled far since Tim Berners-Lee offered the initial version of open web to people. Social media companies like Twitter, Facebook and more gave an updated and interactive web to the users. However, after the Facebook-Cambridge Analytical Scandal, users weren’t so sure about how secure their data will be on the internet.

Biometric Data Could Become an Issue

Metaverse is considered as the next iteration of the internet where a report suggests that this concern related to data privacy may remain. According to VentureBeat, a US-based technology website, a new research conducted by University of California, Berkeley, collected data on over 50,000 VR users.

The report highlights risks involved with motion sensors collecting the biometric data of users. Some experts believe this scenario can move to a whole new level with technologies potentially gathering data regarding human brain activity through the scalp. Researchers studied more than 2.5 Million recordings of users playing Beat Saber, a VR rhythm game, and found that over half of the people are identified within 2 seconds by the application.

This translates to leaving a trail of digital footprints which can be tracked by cybercriminals waiting for one loophole to access your data to be used for illicit purposes. Moreover, anonymity is likely to be eliminated in the metaverse. It would allow bad actors persisting in the metaverse to mock the characteristics of a user, leading them to identity theft.

One solution remains alternate regulations disallowing metaverse companies to store data gathered via motion capture technologies. However, this may lead users away from the metaverse. Virtual spaces are currently in their infancy and may not go mainstream for quite some time.

AR and VR technologies are increasingly gaining traction globally. Digital assets will play an important role in the metaverse, increasing the likelihood for monetary damage. According to a report, crypto users rose to 425 Million in 2022. Technological advancements in the sector will only attract new users to these markets.

Moreover, the fact that blockchain is going to be the underlying technology behind the metaverse, other users would be able to track transactions of whichever account they want. However, this would be a case in a public blockchain network. With tech advancements, there come some snags. 

As the metaverse market grows, it will attract malicious actors in the sector. Users should take precautionary measures while entering such spaces.

Disclaimer

The views and opinions stated by the author, or any people named in this article, are for informational purposes only, and they do not establish financial, investment, or other advice. Investing in or trading crypto assets comes with a risk of financial loss.

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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