The French government is seeking public comment on the "virtual immersive universe" known as the Metaverse to shape a strategy for the sector and offer an alternative to international giants. The Directorate General for Enterprise issued a consultation calling upon companies, citizens, associations, and researchers to answer a series of questions regarding "virtual spaces." The consultation aims to allow the public to express their expectations on how to anticipate Metaverse technology and offer an alternative to the virtual immersive universes currently offered by international giants. The consultation provides different questionnaires for citizens, businesses, associations, and researchers, all mainly centered around the level of knowledge surrounding virtual spaces, the extent of the demand for such spaces, and any potential challenges involved. This comes after a group of industry professionals discussed how regulators might interpret the Metaverse and how businesses can enter it at Paris Blockchain Week. The consultation provides an opportunity to question the relevance of the Metaverse and create a set of rules and ethical standards.

(By CIARAN LYONS)