Professional applications in the metaverse strongly question issues related to personal data and, in general, respect for privacy.
Interpol recently announced the creation of an international police force in the metaverse, although this technology promises to be the next digital revolution. For Internet users, the promise is the following: more freedom in a decentralized web environment, with the big Tech companies losing their monopoly. From this observation arose a significant need for management. This also comes at a time when the advent of the hybrid working model is growing. So companies are wondering if the virtual world will be a new standard to use. Today, companies around the world are planning to put their businesses in the metaverse, but is this good news for employees?
Is the metaverse the deathblow of the concept of privacy?
Employee activity monitoring software has become an increasingly popular productivity measurement tool for employers. But in a world where the coming Web 3.0 promises more freedom and decentralization, there is a conflict with the arrival of metaverses that may, on the contrary, exacerbate the trend towards surveillance. In fact, with the possibility of owners to record virtual meetings, and follow the time spent more precisely, above all a greater distrust is likely to be resolved on both sides. If an employee is considered inactive in the metaverse, how can they prove that they are actually working? What about tasks around meditation, strategy or simple moments of disconnection that are also part of working time? Technologies for monitoring time spent at work are not new, but employers should be well aware of how this aspect of virtual workspaces affects the adoption of the metaverse. It is important to consider employee morale, how to retain them and consider recruiting new talent in this environment. Due to the reluctance of many employees to accept increased surveillance in the workplace, employers must be more careful if they want to intensify these practices, and more than that. The real question to ask is whether the mad race towards innovation is ahead of employee trust and satisfaction. French labor law is very dense and tends to strongly protect against potential abuse. How does the metaverse adapt to these laws?
So it is understandable that people have a critical view of the metaverse, given how some companies sometimes abuse some new technologies.
Besides, what happens when you become your own data?
Ideally, if everyone creates an identity in the Metaverse, moves, creates and lives in this universe, then it will become an inexhaustible source of data. If every action is stored and possibly exploited, how can we protect ourselves and the millions of citizens around the world?
On the generational chessboard, Generation Z is the least suspicious of this development. Is it simply a question of generation, or simple negligence? We know that the use of social networks, for example, is very widespread in this age group, that some practices are against the basic rules of online safety. We can mention for example the fact of agreeing to provide personal information (75%) or buy fake followers (almost one in five people from Generation Z in France) to enjoy greater popularity.on line.
So yes, the metaverse is still in its infancy. Sometimes he makes people smile, people criticize him, but who knows what he will look like in 10, 20 or 30 years? Facebook was born 18 years ago and was nothing like the company we know today. So it is possible to imagine that in the same period of time, the metaverse will also experience a true revolution. Although currently, the prospects are not very good for Meta, we cannot predict what the future holds for us. One thing is certain: there is a good chance that the technologies of the virtual world as well as its applications will lead to major changes in society. At a time when data has become the new black gold of the 21st century, we must ask ourselves if we should not act now, even without knowing the ins and outs in this new virtual space. It is still important to prevent abuse, as a protection, to imagine a safe place where millions of people can live, work and communicate in complete safety. Online surveillance remains an additional risk, and unfortunately is growing. The danger is that it will get out of control if others push to work in the metaverse too soon, before any legislation. Instead of turning a blind eye to the issue today, let’s open our eyes to avoid being completely overwhelmed by the situation a few years from now.