China proposes to extend its social credit system to the metaverse

China is reportedly considering the implementation of a social credit system in the metaverse and other virtual online worlds, similar to its existing social credit infrastructure.

According to POLITICO, China Mobile, a state-owned telecommunications company, has put forth proposals for a digital ID system for all users in the metaverse and virtual online worlds. These digital IDs would incorporate “natural characteristics” and “social characteristics” to verify user identities. The proposed digital IDs would contain extensive personal information and identifiable attributes, including individuals’ occupations. The data would be permanently stored and shared with authorities to maintain order and security in the virtual world.

One example provided in the proposals illustrates how this system could be used to address problematic users who “spread rumors and cause chaos in the metaverse.” With digital IDs, law enforcement could swiftly locate and take action against such individuals. This proposal bears resemblance to China’s existing social credit system, which aims to evaluate and rank citizens based on various behavioral metrics.

The social credit system has also been utilized as an enforcement tool, where individuals with low social credit scores have been prevented from purchasing plane and train tickets, among other restrictions. China Mobile presented these proposals on July 5 during discussions with a focus group on the metaverse convened by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a United Nations agency focused on communication technology.

The metaverse focus group is scheduled to reconvene in October, potentially leading to a vote on these proposals. If approved, these proposals could exert significant influence over telecommunications and technology companies, as the ITU’s metaverse group is working to establish new standards for metaverse services. It was noted that Chinese companies participating in the focus group have submitted a notably higher number of metaverse proposals compared to their American and European counterparts.

According to one group contributor cited by POLITICO, the goal for China appears to be setting the standard for metaverse protocols if metaverse adoption becomes widespread. This prospect raises questions about the extent to which Chinese authorities would oversee and monitor identity protocols in immersive virtual worlds, prompting governments to consider the implications of such a scenario.