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In a significant move, China is considering expanding its real-world social credit system into virtual online worlds and metaverses. The proposal, called the “Digital Identity System,” has been developed by China Mobile and has raised concerns among digital privacy advocates.

Under the proposed system, users of virtual online platforms or metaverses would be assigned a unique digital ID, which would include various identifiable signs, natural characteristics, social characteristics, and personal details. This information would be stored indefinitely and made accessible to law enforcement agencies to quickly respond to instances of misconduct within these virtual domains.

An example outlined in the proposal demonstrates how the system could function. If a user named Tom engages in disruptive behavior within the metaverse, his actions could be swiftly identified through the digital ID, allowing appropriate measures to be taken against him.

This proposal has sparked discussions at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a United Nations agency focused on global communication standards. In December, the ITU established a metaverse focus group to explore the concept of virtual worlds. China Mobile’s proposal was presented during a meeting of this focus group, and it is expected to undergo voting at the next assembly in October.

However, concerns about data privacy and personal freedom have emerged. Critics argue that the use of a distinctive identifier, along with the prolonged storage of personal data, could infringe upon online privacy rights. Democratic societies may view such measures as invasive and intrusive.

While opposition to the proposal is expected within the ITU, Interpol, the global law enforcement agency, is advocating for the early adoption of virtual reality technology to combat potential lawbreakers, scammers, and terrorists in the metaverse.

It is important to note that this article has been rewritten and reformatted to remove author information, contact information, sources of information, and quotes, while keeping the factual information intact.

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