Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen warned French deputies on Wednesday against the plans of the American giant in the “metaverse”, this digital lining of the physical world where the company sees immense commercial possibilities.
"I am extremely worried" by Facebook's projects, particularly its desire to create real professional environments in this metaverse, "she explains.
Read also "Facebook has become the Monsanto of new technologies"
Frances Haugen was auditioned Wednesday morning by the Laws Committee and the Economic Affairs Committee of the National Assembly, before a similar meeting Wednesday afternoon in the Senate.
Say you are working from home and your employer decides to become a Facebook metaverse business.
You will no longer be able to decide whether Facebook can spy on you or not… ”, warns the whistleblower.
The "metaverse" will allow the social network to "gather tons of new data on you", she underlines, warning against the use of "sensors" or "microphones" in the environment of the user .
According to Frances Haugen, "this is a big problem because it is a problem of consent".
Mark Zuckerberg's new fad
The "metaverse" (contraction of meta and universe) is the new holy grail of Mark Zuckerberg, the founder and boss of Facebook, who has decided to rename his group Meta.
This digital backbone of the physical world, based in particular on virtual 3D universes, should make it possible to increase human interactions by freeing them from physical constraints.
VIDEO.
Why the Facebook group is now called Meta
Frances Haugen is in Paris after passing through Brussels, where she supported the new European regulation of Internet DSA (Digital Services Act).
In addition to her meeting at the Senate on Wednesday afternoon, she is due to meet the Secretary of State for Digital Cédric O.