Interpol is getting ready to fight crime in the metaverse. They want to stay updated with new technology and have already started their own virtual reality platform.
Interpol, also known as the International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO), is planning to tackle crime in the metaverse. Even though the metaverse isn’t fully developed yet, Interpol is not discouraged. Interpol’s secretary general, Jurgen Stock, shared these plans in an interview with the BBC. He said it is important for the agency to keep up with technological changes.
Pleased to open our doors – real and virtual – to @BBCClick's @MarcCieslak to talk emerging crime threats in digital worlds and how we're leveraging the Metaverse for international police cooperation 🚀 https://t.co/rRyyDgM5vC
— INTERPOL (@INTERPOL_HQ) February 4, 2023
Interpol Secretary General Jurgen Stock emphasized the importance of staying ahead of criminals who quickly adapt to new technologies for their illegal activities. “Criminals are sophisticated and professional in very quickly adapting to any new technological tool that is available to commit crime. We need to sufficiently respond to that. Sometimes lawmakers, police, and our societies are running a little bit behind,” said Stock. He pointed out that delays in addressing these issues can undermine trust in new technologies and the metaverse itself. “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 explained.
Currently, Interpol is exploring different options to determine the best approach to tackle crime in the metaverse. The organization has already taken steps into this virtual world, launching a virtual replica of its Lyon-based headquarters in October last year. This initiative is promoted as “the first-ever metaverse specifically designed for law enforcement worldwide.”
Dealing with a new environment in the early phase of its evolution, Interpol will have to rely on data from various sources to understand how virtual worlds and metaverse-specific crime might develop. Potential issues include crimes and misdemeanors already occurring on different digital platforms, especially in VR games.
For instance, a BBC News investigation last year found numerous safety risks for children in a VR app rated for ages 13 and up. These risks included grooming, sexual content, racist insults, and rape threats. Another investigation highlighted the danger of sexual assaults in Meta’s Horizon World.
