News Science Quarterly (NS)

News Science Quarterly (NS)

Metaverse and Human Rights Challenges with Emphasis on the Actions of the Council of Europe

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Shiva Shokrollahi 1
Roya Motamed Nejad 2
1 Master of Communication Law, Department of Public and International Law, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran. (Corresponding author),Email: shivashokrollahi8@gmail.com
2 Assistant Professor, Public and International Law, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, Allameh Tabatabai University, Tehran. Email: motamednejad@atu.ac.ir
10.22034/lrsi.2024.461092.1184
Abstract
Objectives: The purpose of this research is to analyze and investigate the issue of Metaverse and its relationship with various human rights, including the right to property, the right of children, the right to freedom of expression, etc.  Also, this article deals with the challenges and problems that Metaverse technology has on different aspects of human life. In this regard, we will discuss the actions of the European Council and regulation in this field.
Methods: In this research, we explain the topic of Metaverse technology and its legal challenges by descriptive and analytical method and using library resources.  Furthermore, we will try to explain the role of this regional institution as one of the most progressive and active institutions in the field of Metaverse by examining various documents and reports of the Council of Europe in many years. In other words, according to the available documents, it can be acknowledged that this institution has been trying for years to create a special and unique legal system regarding this technology.
Findings: The findings of this research show that by creating a new and virtual world alongside the real world, Metaverse has caused changes in the field of technology, various aspects of human life and the way governments govern. On the one hand, these changes, in addition to having many positive points and special features, have created various challenges and legal crises for mankind, which need to be examined and explained in detail in order to be able to determine the legal structure that should govern the Metaverse. despite the challenges and problems that this technology can have for different aspects of human life, unfortunately, comprehensive and complete regulations in this field have not yet been approved.  Therefore, from this point of view and approach, this research is a novel and new thing that seems necessary due to the advancement of technology.
Conclusions: The results of this research show that Metaverse will have the capability and ability to create various legal challenges in human life on a large scale.  Despite the extensive efforts of the Council of Europe and the holding of numerous meetings in this field, there is still no regulation and law from the side of this institution in this field.  By examining all these issues, it is expected that in the not-so-distant future, regulations will be passed in order to regulate and frame this technology. therefore, in the future that is facing humanity and the world, we are facing more advanced and extensive changes in the field of metaverse, virtual reality and augmented reality. Humans should always pay attention to the dangers of science, technology and especially the outer world and be familiar with it so that they can adapt their society and the real world to it, because otherwise, the world will definitely go towards destruction and decay in the short term, it will be nothing but a name of human rights for humanity, and there will be no traces of its implementation and other legal principles.
Keywords
Human Right
Council of Europe
Metaverse
Augmented Reality
Virtual Reality
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