KCC sets guidelines for user protection on metaverse platforms
The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) has established its latest guidelines for ensuring the protection and safety of users of metaverse platforms, dubbed the “Basic Principles for the Protection of Metaverse Users”.
Navigating the metaverse landscape
Although metaverse platforms can create new economic and business opportunities by linking reality with the virtual realm and providing users with a realistic and immersive experience, the agency argued that various problems may arise due to the use of anonymous profiles or avatars.
In response, the KCC assembled six voluntary principles for metaverse service providers to apply to their operations through discussions with a policy advisory group for metaverse ecosystem user protection. The group is composed of 29 members, including academics, legal experts and domestic and overseas companies. It has been active since last year.
Fostering ethical metaverse environments
The principles cover topics like ensuring free yet respectful communication between users; granting users a platform for voicing their opinions on issues related to their rights and interests; and ensuring that transactions involving digital products and services are conducted on proper terms. They also urge companies to give users the right to use and manage their own data along with that of the metaverse.
On a less technical level, the last principle mentions that companies should make efforts to study the long-term impact of the metaverse on users’ physical and mental health, and on society, culture, environment and economy.
The agency has also proposed to draft a code of practice outlining more specific measures to protect users, such as prohibiting sexual harassment and stalking, reporting and punishing cyberbullying and transferring the right to purchase NFTs.
Responsible governance
Major metaverse platform operators like Naver, SKT and Meta, who are members of the agency, agreed to apply the guidelines and include them in their relevant terms and conditions documents and service operation regulations. The KCC stated that it plans to monitor whether or not these commitments are met.
Although not mandatory, the guidelines are recommended as measures to resolve user inconvenience, enhance service reliability and provide standards for user protection. User protection includes that of children, adolescents and personal privacy.
