The senators also expressed concern about the potential for cyberbullying, addiction, and exposure to inappropriate content in Horizon Worlds. They argue that Meta has not provided enough information about how it plans to address these issues.
Meta Responds to Concerns
In response to the senators’ letter, Meta released a statement saying that it takes the safety of its users, especially minors, very seriously. The company stated that it has implemented a number of measures to protect young people in its existing platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram.
Meta also said that it is committed to working with lawmakers and other stakeholders to address concerns about the metaverse. The company stated that it is open to discussing ways to improve safety measures in Horizon Worlds and other metaverse projects.
The Future of Horizon Worlds
It is unclear at this time whether Meta will heed the senators’ request to suspend Horizon Worlds. The company has not yet announced a launch date for the project, but it has been in development for several years.
Horizon Worlds is intended to be a virtual world where users can interact with each other in a variety of ways, such as playing games, attending events, and exploring virtual environments. The project is part of Meta’s larger vision for the metaverse, which it sees as the future of social media and online interaction.
As the metaverse continues to evolve, it is likely that concerns about safety and privacy will become increasingly important. It remains to be seen how companies like Meta will address these issues and ensure that their platforms are safe and accessible for all users.
