Part 6 · Governing through Standards

As we navigate the development of the metaverse, it is crucial to remember that standards are not just about technology – they are about people. Standards are shared rules that enable systems and societies to function together. This article explores how the standard-setting process can help shape a new relationship between technology and society.

The article is part of the the series ‘UN 2.0 and the Metaverse: Are we seeing what is possible?’ The full, comprehensive article was published with Diplofoundation.

An example of metaverse standard categories by FGMV-51.

Standards are the invisible rules that make our world work, from the size of paper in a printer to the internet protocols that let you stream video. For the complex vision of the metaverse to become a reality, it needs interoperability—a seamless connection between all its parts. This requires a coordinated effort to create shared standards, a task being led by groups like the Global Initiative on Virtual Worlds and AI and the Metaverse Standards Forum (MSF).

Lessons from Disaster Management

Standards are not just technical; they reflect our societal readiness for new technology. We can see their importance most clearly in disaster management, where coordinated rules for communication and response save lives. The tragic 2024 Valencia floods serve as a stark reminder of what happens when these standards fail: despite advanced technology, essential warnings never reached the public, leading to preventable loss of life.

The Digital Flood and Law as Friction

Today, we face a similar disaster in cyberspace. A digital flood of harmful deepfakes, sextortion, and cybercrime is surging, yet with a conviction rate of just 0.33%, there is no effective disaster management system in place.

To combat this, we must recognize that law itself is a powerful standard. Instead of endlessly repeating past regulatory mistakes, we must use law to create necessary friction. The German phrase Sand im Getriebe (sand in the gears) perfectly describes this role: law can and should deliberately slow down technology to ensure it aligns with human safety and values.

Conclusion: Building the Infrastructure of Trust

Ultimately, metaverse standards are not just about making systems work together; they are about building an infrastructure of trust. The true test of these new rules is not technical efficiency, but whether they allow people to flourish. This standard-setting process is central to the UN's commitment to shaping a digital future that is inclusive, sustainable, and grounded in human dignity.