El metaverso como nuevo escenario de la criminalidad digital:Desafíos jurídicos frente a los delitos

El metaverso como nuevo escenario de la criminalidad digital:Desafíos jurídicos frente a los delitos

The Metaverse as a New Setting for Digital Crime: Legal Challenges Regarding Cybercrimes

🎙 Heidy Piedad Hernández Iñigo 👥 2K 📅 September 25, 2026 ⏱ 40 min 👁 7 📄 expert opinion 🧭 2026-09-25
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

metaversecybercrimelegal challengesblockchaindigital identity

Summary

The lecture, given by Dr. Heidy Piedad Hernández Iñigo, addresses the metaverse as a novel arena for digital criminality and the juridical challenges it poses. She defines the metaverse as an immersive, persistent, and interoperable ecosystem where avatars interact, trade, and build communities, and where crimes can be committed with real-world consequences. The presentation reviews the evolution of cybercrime from classic hacking to immersive environments, highlighting offenses such as sextortion, online grooming, identity theft, and financial fraud. Dr. Hernández discusses relevant legislation in Peru (Ley 30,096), Mexico (Código Penal Federal), Spain (Código Penal), and international instruments like the Budapest Convention and the EU AI Act. She explains fundamental concepts of blockchain, cryptocurrencies, tokens, and NFTs, illustrating how virtual property and transactions can be misused. Several hypothetical scenarios illustrate avatar-based impersonation and algorithmic manipulation. The talk emphasizes the need for harmonized international legal responses and heightened parental vigilance. It concludes by posing the dilemma of assigning criminal responsibility when a crime is committed by an avatar or an algorithm.

168 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The value lies in raising awareness about the legal gaps in immersive digital environments. The argumentation is structured, moving from definitions to concrete examples and legal references, though it stays at an introductory level. The speaker effectively uses simple analogies (e.g., blockchain as a chain of tamper-proof boxes) to make technical concepts accessible, but the legal analysis could be deeper, particularly regarding jurisdiction and the attribution of liability.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The speaker cites specific laws and conventions, but without precise articles or external references for many claims; some sources are named (e.g., the Budapest Convention, EU AI Act) yet not formally quoted. The title aligns with the content, and the presentation is coherent. The lecture would benefit from more rigorous source citations to support its arguments, though the overall direction is sound.

145 words

Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the content: the lecture focuses on the metaverse as a venue for digital crimes and examines legal responses. It matches the presented material well.

Quality & Reliability

6/10

The presentation relies on established legal frameworks (Peruvian, Mexican, Spanish, and European laws) and describes real-world phenomena, but the speaker makes some broad claims without detailed citation, and the discussion is largely introductory. It appears credible but not deeply rigorous.

Key Moments

Cited Sources

  • Ley N° 30,096 (Peru) on computer crimes — Mentioned as the Peruvian legal framework for digital offenses
  • Código Penal Federal (Mexico) — Cited for provisions on identity theft and electronic corruption
  • Código Penal (España) — Referenced for articles on unauthorized access and fraud
  • Budapest Convention on Cybercrime (2001) — Described as the first international treaty harmonizing cybercrime legislation
  • Reglamento Europeo de Inteligencia Artificial (2024) — Mentioned for setting ethical standards for AI use

Contribution & Novelties

The lecture provides an accessible overview of how the metaverse introduces new forms of criminal behavior and the corresponding legal voids. Its originality lies in connecting classic cybercrime concepts to immersive environments, emphasizing the need for international legal harmonization. The presentation also demystifies blockchain and digital assets for a broader audience.

Pour aller plus loin :

118 words

Radar Profile

The scores indicate a moderate amount of information with average quality and reliability. The technical depth is somewhat limited, making the content suitable for a general audience but not for experts seeking advanced legal analysis. The overall profile suggests a balanced introduction rather than a deep academic treatment.

Reliability 6/10