Ministry of Science and ICT Establishes Metaverse Practical Ethics... "Efforts for Global Expansion"

Comprising 40 Basic Clauses and 120 Clauses by Subject
Applicable Across Metaverse Planning and Operation

The government has established the 'Metaverse Code of Ethics' applicable to ethical issues that may arise within the metaverse.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced the Metaverse Code of Ethics, which concretizes eight practical principles, on the 26th. The code consists of 40 basic provisions and 40 provisions each for suppliers, creators, and users.

The Code of Ethics presents behavioral guidelines in the form of provisions that members of the metaverse ecosystem should apply and pursue, based on eight practical principles: authenticity, autonomy, reciprocity, respect for privacy, fairness, personal information protection, inclusiveness, and responsibility. To ensure consistency with the Digital Bill of Rights, which outlines the direction of the new digital order including the metaverse, the 28 principles of the Bill of Rights were reviewed and organically incorporated into the Code of Ethics.

Additionally, detailed provisions were prepared for suppliers, users, and creators to reflect their specific characteristics and enhance usability. Expressions of rights and obligations were differentiated by stages to allow for flexible application.

Specifically, the ethical provisions for suppliers involved in metaverse development and operation include technical measures and institutional frameworks to foster a healthy ecosystem, information provision and education, and problem prevention and resolution. The provisions for creators are designed to help them understand the social impact of their creations, comply with creative ethics, and recognize that their works can contribute to society. The provisions for users include compliance with metaverse norms, respect for the rights and interests of other users, and healthy behavior as metaverse citizens.

Previously, some had pointed out the need for concrete behavioral guidelines that could autonomously resolve various ethical issues within the metaverse. In response, since June, the Ministry of Science and ICT has set the direction for developing the Metaverse Code of Ethics in collaboration with experts from the Digital Literacy Education Association and Sogang University’s Graduate School of Metaverse. To enhance usability, the code was balanced to pursue global universal values, user protection, and industry promotion. The responsibility of individuals and companies was also emphasized.

The established Code of Ethics can be utilized by suppliers throughout metaverse planning and operation, including terms and conditions drafting and revision, service development, marketing, and customer support. Creators and users can refer to it to prevent social and ethical issues such as personal information and privacy violations, copyright infringement, and unfair trade, as well as to secure rights like information accessibility, the right to be forgotten, and the right to be alone. The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to provide explanatory guides for each basic provision, casebooks, and video lectures tailored to each stakeholder.

Minister Lee Jong-ho of the Ministry of Science and ICT stated, "To prevent social and ethical dysfunctions that may arise in new industries like the metaverse, it is important to establish ethical norms based on the capabilities and autonomy of civil society. We will continue to strive for the global dissemination of the Code of Ethics as a model country leading the digital new order through the metaverse."