Ethics of Intent in Shared Realities
Explore the ethical complexities of shared digital realities, focusing on privacy, access, and the responsibility of creators to prioritize user well-being.
The digital and physical worlds are merging, creating shared spaces like virtual and augmented realities. These spaces bring new ethical challenges, particularly around intent - the beliefs and biases of those designing these environments. Key concerns include:
- Privacy: Immersive platforms collect vast personal data, often without clear consent.
- Access: Digital divides exclude billions, reinforcing inequalities.
- Manipulation: Platforms can exploit psychological vulnerabilities, leading to harm.
Ethical frameworks, inspired by research principles and community-driven rules, offer guidance. Prioritizing transparency, consent, and accountability ensures these spaces serve all users responsibly. As creators of these realities, we carry the responsibility to shape them with care and respect.
Ready to explore the layers of intent shaping your digital experience? Join the journey.
Don't be evil by accident: algorithmic harms and ethics for technologists - EMF2024
Main Ethical Problems in Shaping Shared Realities
As digital environments expand and intertwine with daily life, they bring forth ethical concerns that directly impact individuals and society.
Privacy and Consent Issues
Privacy challenges in immersive digital spaces go far beyond those seen in traditional media. AR/VR platforms gather an extraordinary amount of personal data - tracking not only clicks but also gaze direction, physical movements, emotional responses, and even unconscious signals. This data is collected continuously, often without users being fully aware. For instance, XR devices can identify individuals with surprising accuracy based on mere seconds of movement data. Research has shown that a "unique movement signature" can pinpoint a person with 60% accuracy.
Current consent practices are poorly suited to these immersive technologies. Text-heavy consent forms fail to convey the depth and scope of data collection in VR/AR environments. As Yeji Kim pointed out:
"This Note argues that virtual reality exposes a more fundamental problem of the GDPR: the futility of text-based informed consent in the context of virtual reality."
The consequences of these gaps in consent are already evident. In 2024, Charlotte Tilbury paid $2.93 million to settle a lawsuit for violating Illinois' Biometric Information Privacy Act by collecting facial geometry scans without proper user consent through a virtual try-on tool. Similarly, the Federal Trade Commission sued Meta in 2023 over privacy concerns tied to a VR fitness app acquisition, specifically regarding the handling of fitness and biometric data.
The constant surveillance inherent in immersive platforms can have a chilling effect, leading users to self-censor their behavior. This stifles creativity and personal growth. Beyond privacy, these issues intersect with broader concerns about fairness and access.
Fairness and Access Problems
The ability to shape shared digital realities is far from evenly distributed, reinforcing existing inequalities. Around 2.7 billion people worldwide remain offline, cutting them off from emerging digital spaces. Internet access varies significantly across regions - 89% of Europeans are connected, compared to just 37% of people in Africa. In the United States, the divide is stark: 13% of the lowest-income households lack internet or devices, compared to only 1% of the wealthiest households. Broadband access also reveals racial disparities, with 81% of White households connected, compared to 71% of Black households and 65% of Hispanic households.
These gaps have tangible consequences. Roughly half of all students report being unable to complete homework due to connectivity issues, and 42% say their grades suffer as a result. This "homework gap" disproportionately affects American Indian/Alaska Native, Black, and Hispanic students.
Access to technology is only part of the equation. Power imbalances in knowledge creation also play a role in shaping digital spaces. Top-down approaches often exclude the voices of underrepresented groups, embedding biases into platforms. Gender disparities compound the issue; globally, men are 21% more likely to be online than women, and in the least developed countries, this gap widens to 52%. This digital exclusion has cost nations an estimated $1 trillion in GDP.
"Addressing power imbalances in knowledge is not merely an ethical imperative; it is a practical necessity for effective problem-solving and achieving sustainable development goals."
– Sustainability Directory
Manipulation and Mental Harm
Immersive digital platforms also raise concerns about psychological manipulation. Social media platforms already use features like dopamine-driven algorithms, social comparison triggers, and haptic notifications, which have been linked to body image issues and addictive behaviors. In 2023, nearly half of young people identified as "always online", while working-age users spent over 2.5 hours daily on social media. Globally, an estimated 5% of users are considered addicted to these platforms.
Excessive use of these platforms correlates with higher risks of depression, anxiety, and attention issues. These risks have prompted legal challenges; in October 2023, 41 U.S. states filed lawsuits against Meta, accusing Instagram of manipulative design practices that harm youth mental health.
Technology-facilitated abuse further complicates the picture. Tools like surveillance apps, non-consensual image sharing, and GPS tracking are often weaponized in intimate relationships. Alarmingly, 38% of women have experienced online violence, and 85% have witnessed it happening to others.
In virtual realities, the potential for manipulation becomes even more pronounced. These immersive environments can heighten susceptibility to psychological influence, while the continuous collection of behavioral and emotional data provides platforms with unprecedented leverage. Together, these factors highlight the urgent need to design digital spaces with transparency and accountability at their core.
Ethical Guidelines for Intent in Shared Digital Spaces
As we navigate the complexities of ethics in digital environments, three guiding frameworks emerge to shape intent in these shared spaces. By drawing from established research ethics and adapting them to modern technology, we can build a foundation for ethical interactions.
Principles from Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)
The principles used by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) - respect for persons, beneficence, and justice - offer a solid starting point for intent-driven digital spaces. Originally designed for human subjects research, these principles adapt well to digital environments where intent plays a key role.
- Respect for persons: Ensure users have access to clear and straightforward consent processes.
- Beneficence: Strive to maximize benefits while minimizing harm to all participants.
- Justice: Ensure the fair distribution of benefits and burdens across all users.
These principles are most effective when they are woven into the very fabric of a platform's design rather than treated as an afterthought. By adopting an IRB-like approach, platforms can evaluate whether new features honor user autonomy, enhance well-being, and promote equitable outcomes.
To complement these structural principles, care ethics introduces a more empathetic and relational lens.
Care Ethics Approach
Care ethics focuses on the relational dynamics within digital spaces, emphasizing empathy and shared responsibility. It acknowledges that digital communities are built on relationships - between users, platforms, and the broader community.
This framework prioritizes contextual decision-making over rigid, universal rules. For instance, what might be considered ethical in a competitive gaming platform could feel entirely inappropriate in a virtual therapeutic setting. Ethics in this approach are fluid, shaped by the specific needs and values of each community.
A key aspect of care ethics is ongoing dialogue. Ethics should not be a one-time checkbox during onboarding but an ongoing conversation about how intent-driven features impact the community’s well-being.
The approach also underscores the importance of recognizing vulnerability. Certain users, such as younger individuals or those facing economic or mental health challenges, may require additional safeguards. However, these protections should empower rather than patronize, allowing for a balance between safety and autonomy.
Lastly, care ethics highlights interdependence. Actions in shared digital spaces ripple outward, affecting others in ways that may not always be immediately visible. Ethical frameworks should help users understand these connections, fostering accountability for both individual and collective impact.
Alongside formal ethics, communities themselves play a critical role in shaping guidelines that reflect their unique experiences.
Community-Created Ethical Rules
Ethical frameworks that arise from the community itself often resonate more deeply and stand the test of time. Bottom-up governance allows users to craft rules based on their lived experiences and shared values, avoiding the pitfalls of top-down impositions.
One example of this is the Contributor Covenant, which empowers communities to define their ethical standards. Its tools allow users to create guidelines with tailored language, reporting mechanisms, and enforcement policies.
"A healthy community is sustained by its shared values. While every community is different, there are fundamental principles and norms that are essential to fostering a culture of belonging and inclusion. Since its inception in 2014, Contributor Covenant has always promoted the belief that everyone benefits when our implicit values are made explicit."
Clear language, transparent accountability, and robust reporting systems are hallmarks of effective community rules. Another model, the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), introduced its "Four Pillars of Ethical Digital Engagement" in March 2023. This framework emphasizes collaboration, urging organizations to involve residents in decisions made with the community rather than for it.
For communities to meaningfully participate in ethical decision-making, members must understand key aspects like data collection, algorithms, and intentional influence. Without this foundational knowledge, their contributions may lack depth or practicality.
Community-driven rules also require regular updates to stay relevant. As technology evolves and community needs shift, ethical frameworks must remain flexible while staying true to core principles like fairness and respect. The most effective systems balance local autonomy with broader accountability, allowing communities to define their own norms while staying connected to larger networks for resources, best practices, and oversight.
Solutions and Best Practices for Ethical Intent
To create systems that prioritize user protection and encourage collaboration, it’s essential to address key challenges like consent, transparency, participation, and accountability. Below are practical approaches to ensure ethical intent is effectively integrated into digital environments.
Clear Consent Systems
Consent is more than just a checkbox - it’s about empowering users with genuine understanding and control over their participation. For consent to be meaningful, it must clearly outline what data is being collected, how it will be used, who can access it, how long it will be stored, and the potential outcomes of these actions. This information should be presented in simple, accessible language, free from technical jargon, and ideally in the user’s preferred language.
Digital Samba’s virtual classroom offers a great example, using real-time prompts for consent, token-based access, and automated recording controls.
"Consent is a cornerstone of trust between users and the systems with which they interact."
Strong consent frameworks also include mechanisms for users to address concerns. This means offering clear ways to report unauthorized access, request corrections, and receive timely support. Adobe’s digital consent management tools, launched in September 2025, highlight this approach by providing real-time tracking, automatic reminders, and secure storage options safeguarded by passwords and identity verification.
A comprehensive consent system ensures that permissions are clearly requested, securely recorded, and easily revocable whenever users wish.
Open Information Sharing Tools
Transparency is only effective when information is both accessible and actionable. Users need to understand not just the data being collected, but also how their intentions - and those of others - shape shared digital spaces.
High-quality information-sharing tools should provide balanced insights into available options, including potential benefits, risks, and alternatives. This information must be tailored to varying literacy levels and presented in formats that accommodate diverse needs, such as physical abilities, internet access, and device compatibility.
Dynamic transparency systems go beyond static privacy policies by offering users visibility into their consent history, data access logs, and the broader impact of their choices. For example, AI-powered tools can generate contextual narratives and summaries, explaining why certain data is relevant in a way that shifts the focus from technical details to practical understanding. Multi-modal formats can further enhance accessibility, ensuring inclusivity across diverse user groups.
Shared Decision-Making Models
Collaboration in digital spaces often requires moving from individual consent to collective decision-making. Shared decision-making (SDM) models emphasize the interconnected nature of choices, recognizing that personal decisions often exist within networks of relationships and mutual dependencies.
"Shared decision-making is an approach where clinicians and patients share the best available evidence when faced with the task of making decisions, and where patients are supported to consider options, to achieve informed preferences."
- Elwyn et al.
Effective SDM systems allow participants to express their preferences and evaluate how various options align with their values and goals. AI can play a supporting role here, acting as a facilitator to provide transparent, contestable, and adaptable outputs that align with participants’ evolving priorities. Implementing such systems requires a cultural shift, supported by training programs that enhance communication and collaboration skills among all participants.
Oversight and Feedback Systems
Accountability in digital environments demands independent review mechanisms to identify issues, uphold standards, and adapt to new challenges. Oversight bodies like Independent Review Committees (IRCs) or Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) play a critical role in protecting human rights and ensuring ethical practices throughout a system’s lifecycle.
The importance of oversight was highlighted by Facebook’s 2012 emotional contagion experiment, which altered the news feeds of nearly 700,000 users without their explicit consent. The lack of proper IRB oversight meant no safeguards were in place to mitigate risks or address ethical concerns. Although the experiment faced no legal repercussions, it sparked widespread ethical criticism and led to changes in Facebook’s internal review processes.
Regulated Data Access (RDA) frameworks also contribute to accountability by allowing qualified researchers and regulators to scrutinize platform activities and identify risks. The EU’s Digital Services Act Article 40 is one example, enabling vetted researchers to request data from large online platforms.
Participatory governance approaches further enhance oversight by involving users and stakeholders in decision-making processes. This can include co-design workshops to create risk protocols, citizen juries to deliberate on proposals, and ethics panels with diverse representation and authority to enforce corrective actions.
"A participatory governance approach, similar to developments in AI, can improve practices and collectively align the interests of researchers, platforms and users."
- Vincent J Straub and Jason W Burton
Oversight systems must remain adaptable, with policies regularly reviewed and updated to reflect new regulations, industry shifts, and ethical standards. For instance, the 2023 MGM Casino cyberattack, which resulted in $100 million in losses and exposed personal data like Social Security numbers, underscored the need for robust protections and timely communication in response to breaches.
Conclusion: Building Ethical Intent in Shared Realities
Key Points
Navigating ethical challenges in shared digital realities demands unwavering dedication to preserving dignity and encouraging collaboration. This involves prioritizing transparent consent, ensuring fair access, and embracing collective accountability. The solutions discussed - ranging from clear consent mechanisms to participatory oversight - highlight that ethical intent is not a one-time achievement but an ongoing practice.
Real-world examples underscore how embedding accountability into daily routines can create cultural shifts toward ethical awareness. For instance, the OECD's AI Incident Monitor, which has documented over 600 AI-related incidents since 2024, illustrates how transparency and learning from past errors can enhance our collective understanding. Similarly, initiatives like Unilever's AI Assurance process or New York City's mandatory bias audits for AI hiring systems show that accountability becomes most effective when it is integrated into everyday workflows rather than treated as an afterthought.
These examples remind us that ethical progress is a journey requiring continuous effort and reflection.
Moving Forward
As we move forward, our approach must remain flexible and deeply committed to ethical principles. These practices align with earlier calls for transparent consent systems and inclusive decision-making models in the creation of digital realities. Shared digital spaces should be seen as opportunities for authentic collaboration - places where every choice shapes not only individual experiences but also the broader collective future. With the rapid evolution of AI and immersive technologies, the ethical foundations we establish now will profoundly influence how billions learn, connect, and grow together.
"Trust in AI is earned, not given, and audits are how you earn it." – Governance Expert
This wisdom applies far beyond AI. Every decision we make in designing, engaging with, or governing digital spaces is an act of conscious creation - a recognition that we are actively shaping the realities we inhabit.
The road ahead calls for constant ethical vigilance and openness to change. This involves embracing human-centered approaches that prioritize compassion and wisdom, even as technology becomes increasingly advanced. It also means fostering environments where raising ethical concerns is not only welcomed but celebrated as vital to our collective well-being.
Core values - transparency, consent, equity, and accountability - must anchor every digital endeavor. These are not just technical goals but also deeply human practices that honor the interconnected nature of our shared existence. As we continue to explore the boundaries between simulation and reality, and between individual choices and collective outcomes, we carry the responsibility to ensure our digital creations uplift and serve the greater good.
The future of ethical intent in shared realities does not hinge on flawless systems but on the efforts of imperfect humans striving to improve - one thoughtful decision, one transparent policy, one inclusive design at a time.
FAQs
How can immersive digital platforms protect user privacy while gathering personal data?
Immersive digital platforms have a responsibility to prioritize user privacy, and adopting privacy-by-design principles is a key step in that direction. This means collecting only the data that is absolutely necessary, implementing strong systems to secure user consent, and using advanced encryption to safeguard personal information.
Equally important is maintaining clear and transparent privacy policies. Platforms should openly share details about how they collect, store, and use data, ensuring users understand what happens behind the scenes. By committing to these practices, platforms can strike a balance between technological progress and the ethical obligation to protect user privacy, fostering trust within their communities.
How can we bridge the digital divide to ensure fair access to virtual and augmented realities?
Expanding access to virtual and augmented realities begins with strengthening broadband infrastructure and reducing the cost of internet access for communities that lack reliable connectivity. Initiatives offering monthly internet credits to low-income households can be a powerful way to address this gap.
Equally important is enhancing digital literacy and ensuring people have access to necessary devices. By equipping communities with the tools and skills to navigate these technologies, we open the door to broader participation. Virtual platforms themselves can serve as hubs for personalized learning, making these digital environments more inclusive and equitable for everyone.
How can digital platforms safeguard users from psychological manipulation and emotional harm?
Digital platforms have a responsibility to shield users from manipulative practices, such as misleading content or exploitative algorithms. Enforcing clear, firm policies against these tactics is a critical step. Equally important is transparency - openly explaining how algorithms function and how user data is handled can foster trust while minimizing emotional vulnerabilities.
User safety should also take center stage through robust security measures and effective content moderation. Beyond this, platforms can empower individuals by educating them on online risks and equipping them with tools to manage their privacy. These efforts enable users to navigate the digital world with greater confidence and awareness.
When these strategies are paired with ethical design choices, platforms can cultivate safer digital spaces that prioritize mental well-being and help mitigate potential psychological harm.
