China Considering Social Credit System for Metaverse

State-owned telecom company China Mobile has suggested the creation of a digital ID for all users in the metaverse and virtual worlds.

This ID would include “natural characteristics” and “social characteristics” and store personal information, including a person’s occupation.

An illustrative case for this system was presented, where a disruptive user, who “spreads rumors and makes chaos” in the metaverse could be quickly identified and penalized by authorities using their digital ID.

This proposal resembles China’s established social credit system, which is created to evaluate and rank citizens according to diverse behavioral criteria, carrying enforcement implications.