Known for its reluctance towards cryptocurrencies, the Chinese state is showing growing interest in the concept of metaverse and its various applications. He now wants to extend his control into this virtual world in order, he says, to repress undesirable social behavior. It is therefore in accordance with this objective that Beijing made a suggestion to a United Nations body that a social credit type mechanism be applied to the metaverse. This proposal, which bears a striking resemblance to China’s existing social credit system, is already raising many concerns. But first, how could virtual worlds like the Metaverse follow the Chinese model? What are the risks ? Decryption.
Social credit or the Chinese government surveillance system
Social credit is a government-designed monitoring and evaluation mechanism for Chinese citizens, which assigns scores and rankings to Chinese citizens based on how “trusted” they can be. These elements are then used to decide the eligibility of these citizens for various activities and privileges. They can also determine whether an individual should be sanctioned for behavior deemed undesirable.
For example, people receiving bad grades may be prohibited from purchasing plane or train tickets, acquiring real estate or even accessing certain establishments such as restaurants or hotels. This already happened in 2018.
Launched in 2014, the social credit system was generalized throughout China in 2020. The Chinese government uses it today as a weapon to control citizens and an effective tool to muzzle its opponents. But while it was considered to be the leader in the adoption of the metaverse, this country is now showing off its project to integrate social credit into virtual worlds, thus expressing its desire to extend the surveillance power it has. already has. Can we really consider such a possibility?
Maintaining order in the metaverse: a project too good to be true?
Documents consulted by Politico and reported on August 20 indicate that state-owned telecommunications company China Mobile has made proposals suggesting the creation of a digital identification (ID) system for users in virtual environments. Purpose ? Maintain order and security within the metaverse.
To achieve this, this digital ID system would assign each individual an identity document containing a wealth of personal and social information, including identifiable elements like that user’s occupation. The information would then be stored permanently and shared with law enforcement. The latter could exploit them in the event of security and order problems in the virtual world.
Are these proposals made bad? Not necessarily. Indeed, in the case of a user who “spreads rumors and creates chaos in the metaverse”, the digital identification system would help law enforcement to quickly locate and sanction this individual.
However, these suggestions outline a mechanism visibly inspired by the social credit system, used in China to assess and rank the moral character and trustworthiness of citizens and businesses. This system works by collecting data such as financial records, social interactions, online activities, etc., to evaluate multiple entities. Therefore, its integration into the metaverse would involve many risks.
Order in virtual universes, but at what cost?
China Mobile’s proposals were presented on July 5, during discussions with a discussion group focused on the metaverse, organized by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), a UN-affiliated body whose activity is focused on communication technologies.
The experts in this discussion group believe that these proposals are at serious risk of compromising the principles of confidentiality and freedom of connection which, today, have become the foundations of the Internet in the Western world.
The integration of a mechanism similar to Chinese social credit to maintain order in the metaverse also opposes the fundamental principles of using this virtual environment. Its consequences could be harmful:
- Increased surveillance: Digital ID allows constant monitoring of users’ virtual activities. It could result in loss of privacy and intrusion into their online activities;
- Virtual social hierarchy: a mechanism similar to social credit could create a hierarchy within the metaverse based on virtual credit scores, which would amplify inequalities and discrimination;
- Compliance and control: Users would be incentivized to follow the standards and rules established by the entities controlling the metaverse and avoid controversial behavior for fear of sanctions. This attitude could limit their creativity and freedom of expression;
- Behavior Manipulation: System incentives could manipulate users to engage in certain behaviors or activities, which could be exploited for political or commercial purposes;
- Regulatory complexity: Setting up and managing such a system would require complex regulation and the resolution of numerous ethical and legal issues.
The next meeting of the IUT discussion group will take place in October. This meeting will certainly be an opportunity for participants to vote on Beijing’s proposals. If accepted, they are likely to have a significant impact on telecommunications and technology companies.
Through these discussions, IUT seeks to establish new standards for services related to the metaverse as well as virtual environments in general. Chinese companies seem to be actively involved in this process unlike American and European companies. This approach is in fact a strategy of Beijing.
China now wants to shape the way the metaverse will be adopted internationally. With this in mind, she is gradually spreading her ideologies and actively participating in debates. This craze of the Middle Kingdom worries some experts. One of them notably invited leaders to ask themselves whether an immersive world, partly monitored by Chinese authorities, fits with their vision of the future.
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