The solutions introduced by Meta to counteract the phenomenon of sexual harassment in the metaverse from the outset do not seem to be sufficient. The phenomenon continues and is brought to the attention of the general public by the activity of the activist group of SumOfUs.
In particular, the case of the avatar with female features controlled by a 21-year-old researcher in Horizon Worlds, the Meta Virtual Reality platform that has over 300,000 users, is discussed. The avatar was subjected to sexual assault. Of course, these are actions that are objectively different from those that take place in the real world, but which can be equally traumatic for those who experience them.
THE VIOLENCE IS REPEATED AND THE SAFETY DISTANCE IS NOT ENOUGH
The victim of the attack considered it appropriate to record the sequence to document the fact, without hiding that she was shocked, even though she was aware that the attack was aimed at an avatar and not at a person in flesh and blood.
In the video, a couple of male avatars are seen near the victim, making obscene comments and offering a virtual bottle of a drink. It all took place after leading the researcher’s avatar into a private room during a (virtual) party. The SumOfUS report contains even more crude details that can configure sexual acts with an unwilling subject – to learn more, please consult the full report via the link in SOURCE, under the section “Sexual violence and sexual harassment”.
The researcher works for the SumOfUs association which points out through Vicky Wyatt, director of campaigns of the non-profit organization, how sexual harassment in the metaverse can be very traumatic and have a real impact on users.
In the meantime, Meta has not ruled on the specific case, merely commenting that the company’s top management wants to guarantee the security of the platform and is willing to investigate the reports and take measures. Something Meta has already done: in February, after the first report of sexual harassment in Horizon Worlds, Zuckerberg’s company introduced the safety distance between avatars. But in the case reported by SumOfUs, it was evidently not enough: the researcher was asked to deactivate it.
ACTIVISTS ASK FOR A CHANGE IN CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
More generally, activists are asking for a change in the governance of the company – last Tuesday the document (see link in the VIA) in which they underline how over 40 organizations have signed up for the appeal. A wide-ranging accusation …
The company intentionally hides vital information from the public, its shareholders, and governments around the world, misleading these parties about teen safety, artificial intelligence, and its role in spreading divisive and extremist messages.
… in which there is also room for a more specific critique of the metaverse:
We need a better plan on how to reduce online damage in the metaverse.
The case of sexual harassment in the metaverse is brought back into the spotlight behind the annual meeting of Meta shareholders held yesterday.