The Metaverse. In Science Fiction, one could argue the idea has been around for quite some time. But now that technology is advancing rapidly each year, people are beginning to be quite serious when they bring up the subject.
My question is simply what legal implications may come up with it, especially with existing law (and possible future one, as you will see).
Take prostitution. If you pay for it with a virtual partner, will that be illegal? What about if you just pay to join a group to hook up with other people? And what about the anonymity of your avatar? What if you’re a man masquerading as a female? Do you have to tell other men that? Or do they find out the hard way (no pun intended)? And what about underaged people? Obviously it will be just as illegal to have sexual contact with an underaged person. But what if you’re an adult pretending to be a minor? Under current SCOTUS ruling, virtual child pornography is legal to possess, at least. How will that apply to the fantasy of being a minor?
In fact, how will the law and the public deal with the rights to freedom of thought and freedom of fantasy in general in this new medium? And for that matter, how will international law come in, if you make it some how with a person across international lines, in the ways I just brought up above?
Thank you in advance for your civil replies. 