Ethical Considerations in the Production and Consumption of Music in the Metaverse

Volumetric music videos (VMVs) transform immersive entertainment to create 3D musical performances using volumetric video technology. These videos, accessible via 2D screens or extended reality (XR) platforms, offer novel interactive experiences in the interconnected worlds of the Metaverse. As VMVs rapidly integrate into immersive virtual environments (IVEs), they raise critical ethical concerns about data privacy, content authenticity, and user well-being. Here, we show that addressing these ethical issues is crucial for the responsible development of VMVs. We present a survey-based analysis where we first identify key ethical guidelines through an extensive literature review. We then apply these guidelines to the emerging domain of the Musical Metaverse, particularly focusing on VMVs and musical XR IVEs. Our findings reveal that robust privacy protection, accurate representation, and inclusive design are essential to safeguard user rights and promote a positive user experience. This study builds upon previous work and highlights the need for industry-wide standards and collaborative efforts to ensure ethical practices in VMV production and consumption, fostering trust and sustainability in the emergent Musical Metaverse.