Photo : Facebook/MarkZukerberg
IN FOCUS
By Padmashree Anandhan
Metaverse: Facebook's new digital space project for the EU
On 18 October, Facebook announced its five-year plan in the EU, a project named "Metaverse." The project is a combination of virtual and augmented reality aimed to fill the gap of online interactions. This announcement has stirred debate in three ways. One, the announcement can be a cover to its recent fallout and to down its regulators from calling it to limit its influence. Two, it is a warning message to other tech giants such as Fortnite, Roblox, and Nvidia that have similar virtual platforms already in place. Three, this has given more awareness to new concepts like cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens. Although the CEO has promised to build the platform "responsibly", the long-term effects on human life are still unknown.
What is Metaverse?
The concept of metaverse first originated in 1992 from Neal Stephenson's science fiction novel "Snow Crash." Since then, tech firms (Fortnite and Roblox) have been instrumenting it into games and have advanced in conducting virtual concerts and tournaments for people worldwide to interact. In the metaverse, one needs just a headset to enter the virtual realm to connect to everything. From concerts, a movie with friends, wearing clothes, owning property, walking to working inside Facebook in the future. For example, a person taking a test drive to buy a car can simply 'metaverse' and experience it from a couch. The same can also be applied in buying dresses through digital trials.
Why the EU?
The CEO has proposed to recruit 10,000 workers from the EU, but the reason behind choosing the region is that the company aims to make the EU its playground to draft or to set new internet rules. Apart from this, the other factors are the emerging talent, large consumer market, and first-class universities. It added that: "European policymakers are leading the way in helping to embed European values like free expression, privacy, transparency and the rights of individuals into the day-to-day workings of the internet."
This new tech investment in Europe will either raise the bars of the internet or go downhill. On the one hand, the company has agreed to abide by the European regulatory measures regarding free speech and data privacy. On the other hand, it has also warned the regulators against the strict rules stating that it might lead to the loss of jobs. With the pandemic proving the possibility of a digital world, the latter seems to have its least chances.
What does the future hold?
For the metaverse project to reach its full potential, network building needs advancement. First, a 4G or a 5G connection can only be a base. To make the metaverse a reality, a higher generation of the network is mandated. Two, such a shift into the virtual domain will have an unimaginable effect on society and humans. Three, this might lead to a digital colonization war between tech giants.
References
Ivan Levingston, "Facebook Is Creating 10,000 Jobs in EU to Help Develop a Metaverse," Bloomberg, 18 October 2021
"Facebook says it plans to hire 10,000 in EU for 'metaverse'," Deutsche Welle, 18 October 2021
"Apparently, it's the next big thing. What is the metaverse?" BBC, 18 October 2021
IN BRIEF
By Vaishnavi Iyer and Joeana Cera Matthews
SPAIN
Prime Minister pledges to criminalize prostitution
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has pledged to criminalize prostitution. He said the practice "enslaves" women. Despite being decriminalized in 1995, prostitution remains largely unregulated in Spain. There are no punishments for persons availing sex service; although acts of pimping or acting as a proxy for clients is illegal. Sanchez addressed the issue of outlawing prostitution at his Socialist Party's three-day congress in Valencia. The 2019 manifesto of the Socialist Party contained pledges to criminalize prostitution, deeming it: "one of the cruellest aspects of the feminization of poverty and one of the worst forms of violence against women." There has been no legislation supporting the manifesto yet. The Spanish Police have identified an increased potential of women to be trafficked in Spain. Thus, Sanchez's efforts to criminalize prostitution and draft legislation are awaited. ("Pedro Sanchez: Spanish PM vows to outlaw prostitution," BBC, 18 October 2021)
HUNGARY
Peter Marki-Zay set to oppose Viktor Orban in elections
Peter Marki-Zay, a conservative regional mayor, has been elected to lead a unified opposition against Viktor Orban. Marki-Zay, who is unaffiliated with any political party, is expected to unseat Orban. "We don't simply want to replace Orban or his party; we want a better, cleaner, more honest Hungary," he was reported as saying. He will confront a unified opposition that includes former far-right, centre-right, and even socialist groups. Anti-immigration and anti-LGBTQ themes are at the forefront of his agenda. Marki-Zay has pledged to eliminate corruption and socioeconomic divides, saying: "We want to get rid of the big boys bullying the whole class." Fidesz has accused him of entering into a pact with the left to reclaim power and raise taxes. The party dubbed Marki-Zay a "career leftist". ("Hungary: Mayor Marki-Zay wins run-off to challenge Orban," BBC, 18 October 2021)
BELARUS
Belarus demands French Ambassador to depart over EU tensions
Authorities in Belarus expelled the French Ambassador Nicolas de Lacoste. The media noted that the Ambassador did not engage with Lukashenko to provide him with credential copies. France does not recognize Lukashenko's disputed sixth presidential term. The Ambassador has been asked to leave before 18 October. Lukashenko has been cracking down on demonstrations and protests after EU sanctions on his continued presidency. The French Ambassador left the embassy on 18 October. ("Belarus expels French ambassador amid tensions with EU," France 24, 18 October 2021)
ENERGY
The concept of 'energy poverty' and its effect on Europe
On 17 October, the EU Labor Commissioner Nicolas Schmit cautioned that Europe was facing a crisis of 'energy poverty' that could worsen over the winter. 'Fuel poverty' or 'energy poverty' refers to a situation wherein a household is unable to afford adequate heating at reasonable costs. Despite explaining the European Commission's role in limiting the inflating prices for consumers within the EU, Schmit stated that implementation of measures to tackle the same needed to be taken by national governments. In September, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) had warned that more than 2.7 million people would be unable to bear the expense of heating their homes despite being employed. Countries like France and Germany have been taking up measures to ease the burden on their citizens. Prices of fuels have been escalating lately - natural gas and coal prices soared across the world while the price of an oil barrel rose to more than USD 80. The pandemic has been held responsible for this price climb since manufacturers have been increasingly demanding electricity to account for global supply shortages facilitating post-pandemic economic recovery. (Nik Martin, "EU warns of fuel poverty due to energy price crunch," Deutsche Welle, 17 October 2021)
MIGRATION
Deutsche Welle reports asylum-seekers' prime choice as Germany; Belarus route proves bothersome
On 17 October, Deutsche Welle reported that according to Germany's Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), 2021 witnessed a record rate of asylum applications - 100,278 (as of 30 September). Comparing figures with the same duration last year, this accounts for a rise of 35.2 per cent. First time asylum-seekers hailed from Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq; with applications from Afghanistan seeing a dramatic increase by September end. However, the increased migration via Belarus which has seen an evident spike this last year has raised concerns for the EU. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's 'weaponization' of migrants to retaliate the EU sanctions has left the bloc members tackling a deteriorating migrant crisis. (Nik Martin, "Germany still top destination for asylum-seekers in Europe," Deutsche Welle, 17 October 2021)