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2. The problem(s)

Walter Philips edited this page Feb 2, 2023 · 27 revisions

The biggest problem with the metaverse currently is the lack of technology and infrastructure to support a seamless and cohesive virtual world experience. This includes issues with latency, privacy, interactivity, and the limited sensory experience offered to users. This and several other major concerns have to be addressed by the metaverse of the future:

Identity and reputation

Preventing impersonation and enforce code of conduct

The interactivity of the metaverse may allow a bad actor to carry out more convincing attacks through some advanced vector like social engineering or just by using someone's avatar.

Data and security

Preventing data theft and misusage

The metaverse will likely increase the potential scope and amount of personal data that some bad actors can collect. And this vast amount of data is a gold mine that some technology companies and marketers can potentially tap into.

Currency and payments

Creating and transferring value

The metaverse will have its own form of a virtual market, integrating different real and digital currencies to enable quick and simple trading. It will be crucial to have a transaction verification mechanism regardless of the currency or market.

Law and jurisdiction

Preventing cybercrimes and subdue offenders

Immersive experiences, especially those supported by haptic technology that transfers the experience of touch from the virtual world to the user, raise questions about how to respect personal boundaries and how to anticipate circumstances where such incidents may occur.

Property and ownership

Building viable economy

The challenge will be in creating a unified system that have to be used to authenticate the possessors of virtual assets in the metaverse, awarding and proving ownership rights for art, music, films, and much more.

Access and equality

Utilizing the devices used

To use virtual reality, now we need the latest technologies and expensive headsets, as well as strong and reliable connectivity. This can widen the gap between its potential users.

Presence and experience

Enhancing the sensory fidelity

The metaverse will have to advance to a level that can provide smooth comprehension of presence and surroundings, accompanying visual fidelity with the ability to touch and feel.

Dependence and productivity

Dealing with health and psychological issues

The metaverse is an evolution of the internet we're familiar with, but with much more interactivity. Simply watching something on a flat screen with the level of interactivity we have today is highly addictive in itself, and there's no reason to doubt that this will extend into the metaverse.


One good article on this subject, which is in accord with our train of thought is here but the most comprehensive document that we found to date is The Metaverse in 2040 by Pew Research Center.