China is recognized globally for its social credit system, which keeps citizens in line by putting them at risk of public disapproval and restrictions on their actions. Now, China intends to implement a similar approach to regulate metaverse users.
According to a report by POLITICO, Chinese state-owned telecoms operator China Mobile has developed an outline for a “Digital Identity System” for all users of online virtual worlds, also known as metaverses. The system is expected to use “natural characteristics” and “social characteristics” that include a variety of personal data points such as a person’s occupation, “identifiable signs,” and other attributes.
The recommendation includes that this information be “permanently” stored and shared with law enforcement “to keep the order and safety of the virtual world.”China Mobile stated that such a digital identity system would enable law enforcement or government officials to quickly identify and punish individuals who “spread rumors and cause chaos in the metaverse.”
International Telecommunication Union Concerns about China’s Involvement
The proposal emerged from conversations among tech experts and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) officials. This United Nations-managed telecoms agency establishes global standards for the operation of technology. Their concern appears more serious after China’s plan to implement its social credit system in the Metaverse.
The metaverse focus group of ITU was launched in December. Its purpose is to serve as the main forum for regulators, academics, non-governmental organizations, and technology companies. They will come together to talk about and discuss regulations for a hypothetical immersive internet.
As a result, it has become a battleground where China and the U.S. are competing over the future of the Internet. ITU contributes a vital function in setting global telecommunications and technology infrastructure rules.
Both public and private actors in China have been actively involved in the pursuit of setting global standards for emerging technologies at the ITU. This involvement has raised concerns among Western officials. Many Western Officials are warning that China is seeking to promote a version of the Internet Internet and telecommunications under government control.
China Multiverse Governance and its Risks
As per an expert review, this proposal risks violating the privacy and connection freedom principles that have become pillars of the Internet in the Western world.
Chris Kremidas-Courtney, a leading fellow at Friends of Europe, said, “To build a unified digital identity system, to give each human a unique digital ID that includes social characteristics from social media and occupation – that sounds a lot like China’s social credit system,”
China Mobile’s proposal was suggested on July 5 in Shanghai at the ITU’s metaverse focus group meeting. The vote might happen at the next meeting in Geneva in October.
An anonymous tech expert believes these Chinese groups make more proposals than the U.S. or Europe. This interest might help China at the end of the day by attracting new and modern technological trends.
The expert mentioned that China is aiming for long-term influence. They want to make rules for the Metaverse when it comes to the fictional idea of the Metaverse will be a reality. The anonymous expert asked to imagine this episode where Chinese authorities would set the guidelines in Metaverse.
In response to China’s stated ambitions about Metaverse and their Social Credit System, Kremidas-Courtney said, “If you want to seize the future, you set the standards for it.” He also mentioned that China’s intentions for a state-issued digital yuan are compatible with this concept.
Wrapping Up: The Puzzle’s Final Pieces
However, others have highlighted concerns that China’s actions have damaged the ITU’s reputation internationally. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace fellow Matt Sheehan, who has written extensively on China’s participation in standardization organizations, claims China’s efforts in the ITU have done substantial damage to the union.
“Chinese actors flood it with bad proposals, often because they get government subsidies for filing them,” he said. However, the ultimate result is that technology-related companies in the United States and Europe no longer consider ITU regulations noteworthy.
