The Hong Kong Police Force has launched a platform in the metaverse to educate the public and combat crime in the virtual world.
The interactive “CyberDefender Metaverse,” launched on May 27, provides an avenue for individuals to learn about emerging digital technologies like Web3 and the metaverse, the threats associated with them, and how to improve their online safety.
At the launch on Saturday, the Hong Kong Police opened three venues in its CyberDefender Metaverse platform to the public, allowing participants to learn, explore, and prepare “for the challenged ahead in the digital age.”
In a press release, the Hong Kong Police said it would continue to work on improving the digital literacy of the city’s younger generation.
“Police will continue to organize public educational initiatives on different themes through the “CyberDefender Metaverse” platform, raise the awareness among teenagers regarding the latest advancements in information technology, potential pitfalls and the importance of preventing technology crimes, as well as better preparing them to seize the opportunities in the digital age,” the police said.
A Surge in Virtual Asset Crimes
The launch of the CyberDefender Metaverse platform comes in the wake of a spike in virtual asset-related cases in Hong Kong.
“In the first quarter of this year, Police received 663 cases of its kind with a total loss of $570 million, representing respective increases of 44 percent and 75 percent as compared with the first quarter of last year,” the police said. This represents a significant increase from 2022.
Ip Cheuk-yu, the chief inspector of Hong Kong’s Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau, said all crimes that occur in “cyberspace could also happen in the metaverse.” This includes fraud, theft, and sexual offenses.
“The decentralized nature and use of virtual assets in Web3 may also increase the likelihood of cyber criminals targeting endpoint devices, virtual asset wallets, and smart contracts,” he explained.
Hong Kong Police are not alone in anticipating crimes in the metaverse. In October 2022, Madan Oberoi, INTERPOL’s executive director for Technology and Innovation, said the agency is preparing for never-before-seen crimes in the metaverse and expects existing crimes to be “taken to a new level.”
In April 2022, CBS published an investigative report highlighting the security risks of the metaverse, particularly for children. CBS investigators spoke to 12-year-old Cooper Stone, whose Fortnite account was compromised, resulting in charges on his parents’ credit cards. At the time, Fortnite maker Epic Games said such scenarios arise due to phishing, malware, or human error, such as password reuse.
Staying Safe on the Metaverse
It’s important to apply the same precautionary measures you take while browsing the “regular” internet to stay safe on the metaverse. For example, secure your digital wallets and use strong authentication wherever possible.
Initiatives like the Hong Kong Police’s CyberDefender Metaverse platform provide an opportunity to learn more about staying safe in this emerging virtual world.
