Avatar Privacy Challenges in the Metaverse: A Comprehensive Review and Future Directions

The concept of the Metaverse has sparked great interest as a futuristic virtual space that provides immersive experiences and social interactions through digital avatars. However, using avatars in the Metaverse raises privacy concerns that require innovative solutions to ensure the safety of users. In this article, we conducted a systematic review using the PRISMA method to identify work discussing privacy issues related to avatars in the Metaverse and efforts to provide safer virtual environments for users. Our review revealed two main avatar-related privacy issues: threats related to the user's identity, such as the disclosure of personal details, and social threats, such as harassment. We also reviewed different proposed solutions to these problems, categorized into three main groups: altering user representation, providing safety options to users, and leveraging AI techniques to detect and mitigate issues. While these solutions promise a safer Metaverse for users, there are inherent limitations that require further advancements. To fill the existing research gap and create a safer Metaverse, we suggest improving safety features for users, finding a balance between user experience and privacy, increasing the use of AI to create safer environments while considering user concerns, and enhancing reporting methods available in the Metaverse. Our review emphasizes the need for more advanced research and development to tackle avatar privacy challenges in the Metaverse.