(Kitco News) - The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) has ventured deeper into the realm of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies by launching the “first ever Metaverse specifically designed for law enforcement worldwide.”
Interpol revealed its new digital office at the 90th Interpol General Assembly in New Delhi, saying that the fully operational Interpol Metaverse can be accessed by registered users from around the world.
Users will be able to employ their personal avatars to tour a virtual copy of the Interpol General Secretariat headquarters in Lyon, France, interact with officers via their avatars, and “take immersive training courses in forensic investigation and other policing capabilities.”
According to the announcement, the new offering is provided through the Interpol Secure Cloud, which “ensures its neutrality.”
To go along with the new virtual office, Interpol also announced the creation of an expert group on the Metaverse that will represent the concerns of global law enforcement agencies and help ensure the security of the new virtual world.
The need for a virtual presence grows by the day as the most recent Interpol Global Crime Trend report shows that crime is increasingly moving online as the pace of digitalization quickens.
As a result of the shifting landscape, the question of “how can law enforcement continue to protect communities and guarantee the rule of law” has become a focal point for Interpol.
“Criminals are already starting to exploit the Metaverse. The World Economic Forum [...] has warned that social engineering scams, violent extremism and misinformation could be particular challenges,” the agency said.
“As the number of Metaverse users grows and the technology further develops, the list of possible crimes will only expand to potentially include crimes against children, data theft, money laundering, financial fraud, counterfeiting, ransomware, phishing, and sexual assault and harassment.”
The agency is attempting to take a more proactive approach and disrupt various criminal elements before they are able to establish a strong presence in the Metaverse.
“By identifying these risks from the outset, we can work with stakeholders to shape the necessary governance frameworks and cut off future criminal markets before they are fully formed,” said Madan Oberoi, INTERPOL’s Executive Director of Technology and Innovation. “Only by having these conversations now can we build an effective response,” he added.
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On top of allowing for the establishment of a global virtual presence, Interpol suggested that the Metaverse offers a host of other benefits to law enforcement agencies. These benefits include enhanced networking capabilities, the ability to collect and preserve evidence from crime scenes, and a platform for delivering training.
“Capacity building in the Metaverse holds particular promise, offering students more opportunities to collaborate and network, ensuring a greater engagement through immersion and enabling hands-on activities,” Interpol said.
The agency conducted a live demonstration during the General Assembly in which experts from the Interpol Capacity Building and Training Directorate delivered a training course on travel document verification and passenger screening using Interpol capabilities in a Metaverse classroom. Students were then able to engage in a virtual airport simulation where they tested out their newly acquired skills.
“The Metaverse has the potential to transform every aspect of our daily lives with enormous implications for law enforcement,” director Oberoi said. “But in order for police to understand the Metaverse, we need to experience it."
The overall goal expressed by Interpol is for its metaverse to provide a more streamlined and efficient way for its various outfits across the globe to communicate and work with each other.
