EU's Vestager says analysing metaverse ahead of possible regulatory action

FILE PHOTO: European Commission Vice President Margrethe Vestager is seen during a news conference in Brussels, Belgium February 22, 2021. REUTERS/Yves Herman/Pool

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union authorities need to better understand the futuristic digital world known as the 'metaverse' before they can decide how to regulate it, the bloc's antitrust chief said on Tuesday.

The metaverse involves a network of virtual environments accessed via different devices where users can work, socialize and play. It has come into sharper focus since Facebook changed its name to Meta last October to reflect its bet on the new sector.