Overview
The metaverse is a virtual world where users interact through avatars, typically in 3D displays, with a focus on social and economic connection. Originating from Neal Stephenson's 1992 novel Snow Crash, the concept has evolved to encompass virtual reality, augmented reality, and Web3 technologies. However, concerns over information privacy, user addiction, and safety have sparked debates among tech giants like Meta, Google, and Microsoft, as well as regulatory bodies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).