Metacrime and Cybercrime: Exploring the Convergence and Divergence in Digital Criminality

Zhou, Y; Tiwari, M; Bernot, A; Lin, K

Metacrime and Cybercrime: Exploring the Convergence and Divergence in Digital Criminality

Zhou, Y Tiwari, M Bernot, A Lin, K

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Publisher:: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Asian Journal of Criminology

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Zhou, Y
dc.contributor.author	Tiwari, M
dc.contributor.author	Bernot, A
dc.contributor.author	Lin, K https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3966-0009
dc.date.accessioned	2024-08-13T19:21:31Z
dc.date.available	2024-08-13T19:21:31Z
dc.identifier.citation	Asian Journal of Criminology
dc.identifier.issn	1871-0131
dc.identifier.issn	1871-014X
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/180401
dc.description.abstract	<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>The advent of the metaverse has given rise to metacrime, a novel category of criminal activities occurring in the metaverse, which not only challenges conventional digital criminality but existing law enforcement frameworks. To address the scholarship vacancy, this study examines the intersections and distinctions between metacrime and conventional cybercrime by employing a multi-disciplinary literature review and comparative analysis. We identified five shared characteristics between these two crime types: <jats:italic>crime classification</jats:italic>, <jats:italic>continuous evolution</jats:italic>, <jats:italic>hyper-spatial-temporality (global reach)</jats:italic>, <jats:italic>anonymity</jats:italic>, and <jats:italic>governance challenges</jats:italic>. Crucially, our research highlights the distinct epistemological aspects of metacrime through its criminogenic, victimogenic, etiological, ethical, and regulatory dimensions, exemplified by <jats:italic>virtual-to-physical attacks</jats:italic><jats:italic>, </jats:italic><jats:italic>immersive virtual reality attacks, victimization superrealism</jats:italic><jats:italic>, </jats:italic><jats:italic>complexities of human-avatar interactivity</jats:italic><jats:italic>, </jats:italic><jats:italic>excessive misuse of biometric data, increasingly vulnerable populations, and avatars’ liability.</jats:italic> Our findings underscore the imperative need for tailored and forward-thinking regulatory responses to address the intricate challenges of metacrime, thereby ensuring the security and integrity of evolving digital environments.</jats:p>
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Springer Science and Business Media LLC
dc.relation.ispartof	Asian Journal of Criminology
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1007/s11417-024-09436-y
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess
dc.subject	1602 Criminology
dc.subject.classification	4402 Criminology
dc.title	Metacrime and Cybercrime: Exploring the Convergence and Divergence in Digital Criminality
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.for	1602 Criminology
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences/School of International Studies
utslib.copyright.status	recently_added	*
dc.date.updated	2024-08-13T19:21:29Z
pubs.publication-status	Published online

Abstract:

AbstractThe advent of the metaverse has given rise to metacrime, a novel category of criminal activities occurring in the metaverse, which not only challenges conventional digital criminality but existing law enforcement frameworks. To address the scholarship vacancy, this study examines the intersections and distinctions between metacrime and conventional cybercrime by employing a multi-disciplinary literature review and comparative analysis. We identified five shared characteristics between these two crime types: crime classification, continuous evolution, hyper-spatial-temporality (global reach), anonymity, and governance challenges. Crucially, our research highlights the distinct epistemological aspects of metacrime through its criminogenic, victimogenic, etiological, ethical, and regulatory dimensions, exemplified by virtual-to-physical attacks, immersive virtual reality attacks, victimization superrealism, complexities of human-avatar interactivity, excessive misuse of biometric data, increasingly vulnerable populations, and avatars’ liability. Our findings underscore the imperative need for tailored and forward-thinking regulatory responses to address the intricate challenges of metacrime, thereby ensuring the security and integrity of evolving digital environments.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/180401