The Importance of Digital Twin Ownership in Shaping the Meta-Universe

Explore o Niki Profit

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The Meta-Universe: An Overview

The long-anticipated meta-universe, heavily promoted by Big Tech and featured in countless science fiction tales, hasn’t yet become a reality. Despite the hype, the general public hasn’t adopted it, business meetings are still predominantly held outside of it, and the immersive “First Player Get Ready” experience remains far-fetched. Nonetheless, Italian researchers have recently released a study that may pave the way for its realization. Their paper, “The Meta-Universe and the Human Digital Twin: Digital Identity, Biometrics and Privacy in Future Virtual Worlds,” emphasizes that interoperability and data ownership will be crucial for creating an effective digital counterpart to our physical world.

Digital Twins

Every online activity generates a data trail that, when connected to an individual’s identity, offers a detailed picture of them. Since the Internet’s inception, this data has been utilized for purposes ranging from targeted advertising to psychological experiments. In the meta-universe, the potential for data collection is even greater. Depending on the technology and sensors used, the data gathered can include extensive details about user behavior and intricate insights into their health and physical state. Imagine a scenario where a healthcare network has established a virtual world allowing patients to consult with caregivers and schedule appointments. The ability to instantly access a patient’s vital statistics using data collected within the meta-universe could be game-changing. To fully leverage the meta-universe, users will need a digital twin that authentically represents them while ensuring the privacy and security of the data it generates. The researchers state: “The boundary between the physical and digital realms is becoming increasingly indistinct. […] Access to the Meta-Universe should be secured through biometric authentication methods, while decentralized digital identity systems can ensure privacy during data exchanges with service providers.”

Digital Ownership

As the Meta-Universe evolves, it’s likely that more governments and major organizations will begin to establish standards for interoperability, akin to how numerous websites allow logins via Google or Meta accounts. However, this model places users in a similar situation to traditional social networks. The data generated by users on platforms like Facebook and TikTok is the lifeblood of these companies’ revenue streams. Without this data, selling ad space would be impossible. Currently, the platform that generates the data usually owns it, though regulations vary regionally. There isn’t a decentralized solution for aggregating all of a user’s data into a single repository controlled entirely by the user. In a more data-rich meta-universe, researchers believe that users should have control over their own data. This could foster a scenario where meta-universe residents are motivated to engage in activities that generate data. This data could then be stored in a decentralized repository, accessible solely by the user and shared at their discretion, possibly in exchange for compensation.