The Metaverse: New frontier of the Internet where former Facebook wants leading role

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The term metaverse has become a tech buzzword this year, with companies and investors keen to be a part of the next big thing. But users have for years been spending time in these fast-growing but obscure virtual worlds.

Facebook’s name change to Meta Platforms and details on its plan to build its own immersive digital world, announced recently, comes as the company battles criticism from lawmakers and regulators over its market power, algorithmic decisions, and policing of abuses on its services.

In virtual worlds, users can walk around as an avatar, meet friends and play games. Some that are based around blockchain also allow users to speculate on virtual real estate.

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