"1 in 10 People Have Experience Using the Metaverse, According to KCC Survey"

2022 Intelligent Information Society User Panel Survey
Concerns Over Privacy Invasion Remain
Metaverse Usage Rate Still Low

The majority of users of intelligent information technology and services expect positive aspects from these technologies and services, but concerns such as privacy invasion remain. The usage rate of the metaverse was still low, and it was mainly used for gaming and communication purposes.

On the 15th, the Korea Communications Commission announced the results of the "2022 Intelligent Information Society User Panel Survey." This survey broadly investigated users' perceptions, attitudes, and acceptance of intelligent information technology and services. The survey was conducted on 5,378 smartphone users aged between 15 and 69 years old, residing in 17 cities and provinces nationwide, who use the internet at least once a day.

Regarding intelligent information technology and services, 89.3% of respondents expected that the robotics field could improve our lives. Autonomous driving (87.8%) and algorithms (83.7%) also recorded high figures. Blockchain (73.4%) and AR/VR (72.4%) showed relatively lower levels of expectation. However, 64.2% of respondents predicted that the possibility of privacy exposure would increase in the intelligent information society. The overall tolerance for the scope of personal information that could be provided to businesses was low. Particularly, respondents were reluctant to provide 'resident registration number (5.5%)', 'information stored on smartphones (8.7%)', and 'account linkage between online services (9.9%)'.

Only 12.7% of respondents had experience using metaverse platforms. The average metaverse usage time was 1 hour and 4 minutes, mainly used for gaming and communicating with acquaintances. The advantages cited included the ability to use it without constraints of time and space, while disadvantages included the possibility of sexual crimes and privacy invasion. Considering users' perceptions, attitudes, and acceptance of intelligent information services and technologies revealed in this survey, the Korea Communications Commission plans to proactively establish effective policy measures that will serve as a foundation for creating a protective environment for users in the intelligent information society.