South Korean authorities have sentenced a man to four years in prison for acquiring sexual content from underage victims he encountered in the Metaverse world.
The identity of the man has not been disclosed. He has been prohibited from employment in any organization involving minors and individuals with disabilities. Additionally, he is required to participate in a mandatory rehabilitation program for sex offenders.
South Korea Cuts Punishment in Metaverse World!
According to the report, a 30-year-old man engaged with minors through a South Korean Metaverse platform, using gifts to persuade them to send him videos and pictures. Concealing his real age and employing a young person’s avatar, he conducted his criminal activities between December 2021 and March 2022.
Apart from the four-year prison sentence, he is also banned from working in any institutions involving minors and disabled individuals. He is mandated to attend an 80-hour treatment program for sex offenders. The primary reason for the sentence was his targeting of minors for sexual exploitation. This case in South Korea underscores a growing challenge in Metaverse development – concerns about its potential misuse for sexual abuse.
In another recent incident, a woman reportedly experienced virtual assault on Meta’s virtual reality platform, Horizon Worlds. Despite other participants witnessing the event, it was alleged that they did not intervene. This harassment is said to have occurred after the personal boundaries settings were disabled. Additionally, there have been claims of inappropriate interactions with avatars during the Worlds beta test, along with several other reported instances of cyber sexual assault in the industry.
While companies are implementing measures like personal boundaries to prevent such abuse, South Korean lawmakers are contemplating the criminalization of sexual crimes in the Metaverse. The country’s Ministry of Science and ICT has established principles to protect minors in the Metaverse, emphasizing authenticity, reciprocity, autonomy, fairness, privacy respect, responsibility, inclusion, and data protection. These principles are grounded in three core values: intact self-identity, secure enjoyment, and sustainable well-being.
The Development of Technology Doesn’t Stop Malicious People!
With the increasing number of cases over the years, numerous preventative measures have been implemented. However, malicious individuals persistently pursue their objectives. Regardless of whether it’s in the real or virtual world, they often find ways to bring their intentions to light.
It is suggested that with the advancement of technology and the development of penal codes, this issue might be mitigated for some time.
However, only time will reveal the effectiveness of these measures. The evolution of the Web3 space is poised to elevate humanity to a new level. Concurrently, it is expected that any attacks at this level will be countered with similar advancements.
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