VRChat online virtual reality universe

VRChat is an online virtual reality (VR) universe consisting of thousands of connected worlds in which users can interact with others using virtual avatars and worlds they can create.

VRChat is designed primarily for use with Android and Microsoft virtual reality headsets, as well as in "desktop mode" using a mouse, keyboard or a gamepad.

Launched in 2014, the service was expanded to include the VRChat Plus subscription service in November 2020. On launch, it allows users to display a custom avatar image on their nameplates, increases the number of avatars they can save in their favorites from 50 to 300, grants them an "increased trust rating", and allows them to attach an in-game photo to an invite request.

Risks and harms 🛑

VRChat has been accused of poor content moderation and unreliable age verification, leading to a spate of incidents and issues involving addition, sexual abuse, trolling and offensive language, racism, privacy and copyright violations, identity theft and impersonation, and other inappropriate and unethical activities.

Transparency and accountability 🙈

VRChat has been accused of being opaque and unaccountable due to:

• Lack of enforceable age verification mechanisms, allowing minors to easily access adult content and interact with adults.

• Insufficient moderation of inappropriate content, especially in public spaces where children may be exposed to sexual or violent material.

• Inadequate response to reports of abusive behaviour, with researchers noting that Facebook/Meta was unresponsive to submitted reports of policy violations.

• Limited ability to control or restrict inappropriate avatar behaviours, as the platform struggles to enforce content guidelines consistently.

• Absence of clear, proactive measures to protect children from potential grooming or exploitation.

• Difficulty in implementing effective content filtering due to the platform's reliance on user-generated content and real-time interactions.

• Challenges in maintaining transparency about the platform's safety measures and their effectiveness, particularly regarding child protection.

• Limited accountability for users engaging in harmful behaviours, as the platform's anonymity can make it difficult to identify and address repeat offenders.

Research, advocacy 🧮

• Ortiz L. (2022). Risks of the Metaverse: A VRChat Study Case 

• Center for Countering Digital Hate (2021). Facebook's Metaverse

• Hobson A (2020). Phantoms, Crashers, and Harassers

Investigations, assessments, audits 🧐

• BBC (2022). Metaverse app allows kids into virtual strip clubs

• BBC (2022). Undercover journalist witnesses abuse in metaverse

News, commentary, analysis 🗞️

• https://edition.cnn.com/2022/05/05/tech/virtual-reality-harassment/index.html

• https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/30/technology/metaverse-harassment-assaults.html