Privacy in Virtual Worlds: A US Perspective to a Global Concern

Jeannie Pridmore () and John Overocker
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Jeannie Pridmore: University of West Georgia
John Overocker: Public Defender’s Office Coweta Judicial District

A chapter in Handbook on 3D3C Platforms, 2016, pp 161-177 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract 3D3C virtual worlds (VW) offer new and engaging methods for conducting many kinds of processes and functions, from education and training, to new product development and customer service. A vast amount of personal information can be recorded, stored, and analyzed in such worlds. This chapter presents a rich account of what today’s VW consist of and the current (though fluid) state of privacy rights in VW in the United States. First we explain why VW should be considered separate from other technologies. Then privacy rights in the United States are discussed, and how these rights could, or should, apply to VW. Currently privacy rights of VW users are wholly created and defined by the Terms of Service (TOS) of the VW. We argue that privacy rights need to be approached in two ways, from the VW users working to improve their rights in the TOS and improved government privacy regulation as called for by the VW community. Privacy law, or the right to privacy, is critical at this point in the development of VW. As in the days of the Wild West, the law has been slow to make its way into the realm of VW. In conclusion, critical issues are identified to be addressed in future research projects.

Keywords: Virtual World; Public Space; Privacy Concern; Reasonable Expectation; Private Space (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-22041-3_6

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