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China Mobile, a state-owned telecommunications company, has put forward a proposal for a “Digital Identity System” for virtual online worlds and metaverses. The system would create a unique digital ID for each user, containing identifiable signs, natural and social characteristics, as well as personal details. This ID would be permanently stored and shared with law enforcement to enable swift action against bad behavior within these virtual environments.

The proposal, which has been reviewed by Politico, draws parallels with China’s existing real-world Social Credit System. Under this system, every individual, business, and government institution has a record that is tracked and evaluated for trustworthiness. While China currently has various forms of the system in place, a unified national version is expected to be implemented in the future.

China Mobile’s proposal is currently being discussed at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations’ telecoms agency. The ITU created a metaverse focus group in December of the previous year, where regulators, academics, NGOs, and tech companies review and vote on ideas. China Mobile presented its proposal at the group’s meeting in Shanghai on July 5. The proposal is scheduled to be voted on at the group’s next meeting in October.

While the proposal is raising concerns about privacy and freedoms, particularly in nations not under a communist government, it is likely to be rejected by the ITU. However, Interpol is urging law enforcement agencies to embrace virtual reality technology and get involved in the metaverse early on to stay ahead of potential criminals, scammers, and terrorists.

Overall, the proposal by China Mobile highlights the country’s interest in applying its real-world social credit system to virtual environments, but it faces potential opposition and concerns regarding privacy and control.

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