Devs believe data privacy, disinformation chief challenges for metaverse

Delving into Metaverse will need to address security concerns and bring in evolution in security methods to an entirely new extent for levelling up with the ever-broadening expanse of Metaverse. 

Even when organisations and businesses are modernising and developing their IT security systems, data security and protection had been a long-standing issue to be dealt with for any online setup.

Most of the metaverse developers (33%) believe that data privacy and security are the biggest hurdles that the metaverse has to overcome, according to a report by the interactive streaming platform Agora. 

Already being used by several firms for various uses like recruitment, conducting events etc., by using virtual, augmented or mixed reality technologies — the metaverse will impact a wide range of sectors for various uses and services. 

Also read: How to keep cybercriminals at bay in the metaverse?

Also, people can interact with each other, play games, buy property, and conduct several other activities in the metaverse. 

The study pointed out that the gaming and entertainment industry is pegged to benefit the most or experience the greatest positive impact from the metaverse, with 26% each. Telecommunications (12%) and retail/e-commerce (11%) were other top industries that respondents think will be positively impacted by the metaverse, as well as healthcare/medicine (6%), and education, design/manufacturing and workforce each with 5%. 

It further noted that, when developers were asked if real-time engagement technology (interactive, two-way digital video and audio) will be the solution to creating a more engaging and connected experience for the metaverse, it is found that 72% believe it will be critical, while 5% think it won’t be a prominent factor and 22% feel neutral about it. 

“Since data privacy seems to be at the top of everyone’s mind today, it’s not surprising that developers believe that security issues stand to be a major headache in the evolution of the metaverse,” Tony Zhao, founder and CEO of Agora. “It’ll be interesting to see the rate at which these issues are addressed and if it’s ultimately enough to make people feel safe.” 

Over one of the biggest questions surrounding the metaverse, whether it will replace real-life, in-person social interactions and experiences, more than half (55%) said that it was likely to happen in a span of five years, while 30% said it was unlikely. 

Further, 57% of respondents think that the metaverse will become the most popular place to buy, store and trade cryptocurrency, while 18% disagree and 25% feel neutral. Also, 70% agree that cryptocurrency and blockchain technology advancements will be critical to shaping the future of the metaverse, while 9% disagree and 21% feel neutral.