A Study on the Countermeasures of Avatar Sex Crime

Meta’s generation has many net functions as it is utilized in various areas. On the other hand, dysfunctions such as character sex crimes (hereinafter referred to as avatar sex crimes) occur within the metaverse platform. Avatar is a virtual character that does not exist in reality and operates in a virtual space. By using these avatars to commit sex crimes against the other avatar, the user is suffering from indirect damage but severe mental shock. However, Avatar sex crimes are a flaw in punishment regulations, and criminals are given indulgence by not being punished. As a way to this end, the purpose of the study is to suggest a method of systematically solving within metaverse and a method of solving through enactment of laws. The research method is to identify avatar sex crimes cases on the metaverse platform based on the Internet and domestic and foreign research data, examine related punishment regulations when such crimes occur, and find out if there are legal deficiencies. And it is to examine foreign cases and suggest countermeasures to see if a system that prevents avatar sex crimes from occurring at the source is possible. As a result of the study, scholars are at odds with each other over the punishment of avatars sex crimes. However, for users, avatars are no different from their alter ego. If such an avatar is sexually assaulted by another avatar, the user feels the same form of mental pain as being directly damaged. Therefore, separate punishment provision are in the Act on Promotion of Communication Use Information Protection(hereinafter referred to as the Information and Communication Network Act), and a method to prevent avatars from accessing other avatars at a certain distance is needed. In conclusion, metaverse can be used in various areas such as the elderly, clothing sales, work, leisure activities, and interactions in the future. To this end, metaverse operators, academia, and the government should work together to find ways to respond to crimes among the adverse functions that occur in metaverse. Since the method cannot be punished by existing laws for avatar sex crimes, separate punishment regulations should be prepared, and metaverse platform operators should devise ways to fundamentally block crimes.