A metaverse connects physical and virtual worlds. Metaverses have partly transformative impacts on social relationships, collaboration, politics, business, education, healthcare, leisure, and property. Large amounts of sensitive data are generated about users, who often do not know which companies and institutions collect and process this data for what purposes. This impedes them making informed decisions and exercising their rights. Additionally, crimes such as cybermobbing or identity theft can be committed against avatars. Therefore, PriMeta investigates and reflects on the challenges associated with metaverses in relation to potential privacy violations and ensuring informational self-determination. From an ethical perspective, core questions concern the opportunities and challenges created for users' autonomy, identity, and social participation. PriMeta also places special emphasis on vulnerable groups, children and children's rights, and questions concerning digital afterlife. The research project develops recommendations to increase users' technical competence and to safeguard, enforce, and improve affected individuals' rights. This promotes a fair and secure use of metaverses.
