Interpol Is Figuring Out How to Scrutinize the Metaverse

Interpol is not wasting time. The leading international police organization is exploring ways of investigating crimes in the metaverse, the BBC reports.

According to Interpol’s chief Jürgen Stock, "criminals are sophisticated and professional in very quickly adapting to any new technological tool that is available to commit crime.” This is why the authorities need to find ways of responding to emerging threats promptly. 

"We have seen if we are doing it too late, it already impacts trust in the tools we are using, and therefore the metaverse. In similar platforms that already exist, criminals are using it," he said, adding that cybercrime is international by nature. 

"This is why Interpol is so important because only national cyber-crime does not exist – almost all of the cases have an international dimension,” he emphasized.

Meanwhile, Interpol's executive director of technology and innovation Dr. Madan Oberoi added that defining a metaverse crime is not always straightforward.

"For example, there have been reported cases of sexual harassment. If you look at the definitions of these crimes in physical space, and you try to apply them in the metaverse, there is a difficulty. We don't know whether we can call them a crime or not, but those threats are definitely there, so those issues are yet to be resolved,” he said.

Oberoi also emphasized that if law enforcement is interested in helping people who have been hurt in the metaverse, they need to know about it.

"And that is one of our objectives – to make sure law enforcement personnel start using the metaverse and they become aware,” he clarified.

The latest initiatives come just after several months after Interpol set up its own metaverse.

The metaverse’s popularity has grown immensely over the years. Recently, Gagarin News reported that 69% of respondents believe the metaverse will reshape social life and that marriages are already taking place in it.