The First Virtual 'Gang Rape'

A case of a woman claiming she was “gang raped" after entering Facebook’s Metaverse has shown the need for laws in 3D virtual worlds. Digital dignity too should be structured around human dignity

- Ashit Kumar Srivastava

FROM the past one year, the discourse around Facebook’s hyped endeavour of Metaverse has gained much traction. The idea of a virtual reality world seems like a plot of a sci-fi movie. Yet, it is close to becoming a reality soon with Metaverse's attempts to capture the 3D digital world, which seems like an exciting new universe waiting to be explored. In fact, a metaverse is a network of 3D virtual worlds focused on social connection.

However, it raises legal concerns. Techno-laws have been slow-paced to match even digital technology in the 2D world. Imagine now they will have to counter challenges in the 3D digital world.

What set of jurisprudence will be applied in the realm of Metaverse? Will it be similar to conventional laws, such as the Indian Penal Code or the Information Technology Act, 2000? Will the avatars under the Metaverse have the same integrity as that of a human body with its own zones of privacy? Many of the regulatory questions pertaining to Metaverse will depend on what facet of human life they will be interacting with. Metaverse will be an interactive platform which engages the human mind, and the creation of an avatar within it is a reflection of the identity of individual surfing the Metaverse. This is a reflection of the mental integrity of the individual, which draws back to the fountainhead of dignity. What surely underlies surfing internet is the digital reflection of dignity, what summarily can be denoted as “Digital Dignity.