The Second Workshop on Social Networking in Metaverse

CNAM, Paris
December 5, 2024

Under Security and Privacy for Social networking in Metaverse (SocMeta) TC Innovation Project

Technical Committee Sponsor: IEEE ComSoc Social Networks TC

Special Interest Group on Social Internet of Anythings (SIG SIoA).

Organizers

Workshop Co-chairs

• Abderrahim Benslimane, University of Avignon, France (lead)
• Anna Maria Vegni, Roma Tre University, Italy
• Valeria Loscrì, INRIA Lille Nord-Europe, France
• De-Nian Yang, Academia Sinica, Taiwan

Local Organization Chair

• Samia Bouzefrane, CNAM Paris, France

Contact: Abderrahim Benslimane (abderrahim.benslimane@univ-avignon.fr)

Location

CNAM Paris
Amphithéâtre Jean-Baptiste Say
292 Rue Saint Martin 75141 Paris

Program

Keynote Speakers

Talk1. Chloé Vigneau, CNAM Paris, France

Title: Playing or Creating: Different Ways of Learning 21st Century Skills in an Immersive Environment

Abstract

Following on from my doctoral research, I focus on the use of video games and immersive environments for classroom learning. In this presentation, I propose to compare two ways of using Minecraft Education to develop 21st-century skills: game-based learning, where students learn by playing, versus game-development-based learning, where they learn by creating games.

Short biography

Dr. Chloé Vigneau is a research associate in the ILJ team at CEDRIC, Managing Director of a digital agency: Copotato. She got her PhD in computer science on the subject of learning through the creation of video games in the classroom.

Talk2. Chih-Hang Wang, National Chung Cheng University, Taiwan

Title: Network Optimization for Multiview 3D Video Streaming in the Metaverse

Abstract

The emergence of Metaverse and Artificial Intelligence (AI) has fueled significant interest in developing advanced network technologies to support immersive applications. Multiview 3D video streaming, a crucial technology for enabling interactive experiences with 3D content, offers a compelling alternative to traditional 2D video by providing multiple view angles and eliminating occlusions inherent in single viewpoint systems. However, the increased bandwidth demands of delivering high-quality 3D content pose a significant challenge, potentially leading to network congestion and hindering widespread adoption. To address these critical issues, we leverage multicast, mobile edge caching, and view synthesis to effectively reduce the number of transmitted views and total bandwidth consumption in networks. By exploiting software-defined network architecture, we can optimize traffic engineering and the selection of multi-view sources. The views cached in edge networks can immediately serve mobile users, and the cache can also send views that are synthesized by view synthesis techniques (e.g., Depth Image-Based Rendering, DIBR). To optimize view cache and multicast, we model the multiview cache problem as a Markov Decision Process (MDP) to find the optimal caching strategy and develop an online algorithm with the idea of synthesis tree, view popularity, and watching possibility to achieve the tightest bound for multiview multicast. Experiment results show that our proposed algorithms can effectively reduce bandwidth consumption by more than 50%.

Short biography

Chih-Hang Wang received the B.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the Department of Computer Science, National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan, in 2011 and 2018, respectively. He joined the Institute of Information Science, Academia Sinica, Taiwan from 2019 to 2024. He is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering at National Chung Cheng University. Over the past few years, his primary focus has centered on optimizing the realms of Social Internet of Things (SIoT), Software-Defined Networking (SDN), mobile edge computing, and 5G/6G networks, with the goal of delivering seamless and immersive 3D multimedia experiences in the metaverse. His research explored important fundamental factors for metaverse optimization such as social networks, multi-layer communication networks, QoS, QoE, and cybersickness. The outcomes of his research have been published in top conferences and journals such as IEEE INFOCOM, IEEE/ACM Transactions on Networking (TNET), IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing (TMC), IEEE Transactions on Parallel and Distributed Systems (TPDS), IEEE Transactions on Service Computing (TSC), and IEEE Internet of Things Journal (IoT-J). His current research interests include 5G/6G wireless networks, mobile edge computing, social internet of things, networks for the metaverse, and AI-supported networks.

Talk3. Colin Schmidt, ENSAM-ParisTech & Le Mans University, France

Title: AI Driving the Workplace: Toward or Away from a Great Void?

Abstract

This discussion examines the acceptability conditions for the widespread integration of AI in the workplace. Since Sam Altman (indirectly) shifted the focus from Noam Chomsky’s foundational MIT parsing techniques (1957) toward a statistical approach (culminating in 2022), the social workplace first shuddered under the weight of disruption and then erupted into a frenzy of success. This article delves into the theoretical underpinnings of this transformation, considering its ethical implications for society, challenges in digital identity, missteps in blockchain/Web3, and the essential role of communicability in the workforce.

Short biography

Colin Schmidt’s career spans academia, industry, and research administration. He has contributed to European Commission projects on human language technologies, industrial research at Airbus, and defense research with the Defence Research Agency in England. Currently a senior researcher at ENSAM-ParisTech and Le Mans University, he works on CNRS projects and evaluates virtual and augmented reality technologies for Université Paris-Sud. His expertise includes Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), artificial intelligence, robotics, and immersive technologies, emphasizing their societal impact. Schmidt holds degrees from the University of Manchester, École Polytechnique, and Sorbonne Nouvelle.

Talk4. Jian-Jhih Kuo, National Chung Cheng University, Taiwan

Title: When Quantum Network Meets Social Network

Abstract

Quantum Network promises to revolutionize networks by offering unmatched security in key distribution and communication. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), a cornerstone of quantum networks, leverages quantum mechanics to prevent eavesdropping and cyber threats, setting a new benchmark for privacy. For long-distance communication, trusted-relay nodes along a multi-hop relay path first generate quantum keys between adjacent nodes. These quantum keys are then converted into classical keys for encryption, ensuring secure transmission over extended distances. By integrating concepts from social networks, trust levels between nodes can be utilized to optimize relay path selection: critical requests prioritize high-trust nodes, while less sensitive requests exploit a broader range of nodes, balancing security and efficiency. However, quantum networking faces significant challenges, such as 1) the high cost and limited capacity of photon sources for generating quantum keys, and 2) the complexity of accurately evaluating trust levels between nodes. Despite these challenges, QKD-based trust-aware networking offers a novel, secure, and efficient communication framework, blending advanced quantum techniques with trust-based network design.

Short biography

Jian-Jhih Kuo (M’17) received B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in computer science from National Chung Cheng University, Taiwan, in 2008, and National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan, in 2014, respectively. He is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering at National Chung Cheng University. His early research focused on service chain embedding optimization problems in network function virtualization, software-defined networking, and traffic engineering. Recently, his work has shifted toward optimization problems in routing selection and resource allocation in quantum networks. The outcomes of his research have been published in top networking and distributed computing conferences and journals, including IEEE INFOCOM, IEEE ICDCS, IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing (TMC), IEEE Transactions on Services Computing (TSC), IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology (TVT), IEEE Internet of Things Journal (IoT-J), and IEEE Communications Surveys and Tutorials (COMST). He is the recipient of the Ministry of Science and Technology Project for Excellent Junior Research Investigators (2022) and the National Chung Cheng University Young Faculty Award (2021). His current research interests include cloud and edge computing, computer networking, quantum networking, and traffic engineering.

Talk5. Marion Scordia, University Lumiere Lyon II, France

Title: The Metaverse as a Digital Third Place: Moderation, Inclusion, and the Future of Online Communities

Abstract

This presentation explores the metaverse as a transformative digital ecosystem, focusing on its accessibility, user activities, and the pivotal role of moderation. We begin by contextualizing the metaverse, explaining how users can navigate and engage with its diverse possibilities. Special emphasis is placed on moderation tools tailored to metaverse environments, such as safety bubbles, user muting, and admin interventions, which are critical for maintaining respectful and inclusive spaces. The session examines the growing investments of major tech companies (GAFAM) in the metaverse, raising important questions about profitability and its influence on user experience and content control. U.S. legislation, particularly Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, is discussed for its significant impact on platform accountability and moderation practices.

Positioning the metaverse as the new digital third place, we explore its alignment with third-place principles: territorial anchoring, hybridization of activities, conviviality, experimentation, and open contribution. This perspective highlights the metaverse’s potential to counter toxic social networks, foster authentic digital identities, and create safe spaces for sensitive users. It could also serve as a powerful medium for mediation and inclusion.

Finally, the presentation reflects on the future of the metaverse, proposing that as it becomes more integrated into daily life, the term itself may fade, giving way to a seamless digital experience. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of the metaverse’s potential to reshape online interactions and create inclusive, meaningful digital spaces.

Short biography

Marion Scordia is an XR and Metaverse expert with over seven years of experience as a project manager and trainer. Multilingual and deeply engaged with immersive technologies, she focuses on fostering inclusive and ethical digital practices. Passionate about innovation, she advocates for digital communities that prioritize connection, creativity, and inclusion.

Workshop Overview

SocMeta proposal has been selected for funding by IEEE ComSoc under the TC Innovation Project initiative. Its main goals are related to how the Metaverse will revolutionize the existing social networking features, applied to different contexts, from Social Internet of Things to Vehicular Social Networks, as well Online Social Networks.

Metaverse is mainly used to refer to the expected future iterations of the Internet. This concept can also be referred to as Web 3.0. The advent of the Metaverse concept has further expedited the evolution of haptic, tactile Internet, and multimedia applications, thanks to the use of Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Extended Reality (XR) services. As a result, fully immersive sensing will most likely define the next generation of wireless networks, providing novel and immersive user experience.

Metaverse will be the opportunity of creating new social networks that there not exist in real world. In SocMeta project, we intend to define new trust relationships that will allow seamless confidence in both worlds. We intend to introduce new trust concept of Metaverse social networks that allows equivalence of trust between entities.

Objectives

The technical objectives of this second edition is to deal with security and privacy issues in Metaverse. Below are enumerated some security issues such as data privacy, data integrity, interconnectivity risk, network security and authentication and access control.

Trust in Metaverse/XR is a critical aspect as it influences how the XR is perceived, utilized, and accepted by various stakeholders.

Blockchain technology has the potential to contribute to the security and privacy aspects of Social Metaverse, but its scalability issue needs to be addressed.

Workshop topics (but not limited to):

• Authentication and identification in the Metaverse/XR
• Privacy in the Metaverse/XR
• Trust in the Metaverse/XR
• BlockChain for the Metaverse
• Physical Threats in the Metaverse/XR
• Countermeasures for cybersecurity in Metaverse/XR
• AI driven Security in the Metaverse/XR
• Automated intrusion detection in the Metaverse/XR
• Criminality in the Metaverse/XR
• Forensics and legal procedures in the Metaverse/XR
• Define proper features of social networking in Metaverse
• Investigate social networking for AR/VR/XR
• Investigate security and privacy issues in Metaverse
• Define a framework for integrated Metaverse with traditional online social networks
• Analyse social networking features among Digital Twins
• Investigate issues arisen by the overlapping of physical world with virtual and extended world

Registrations

Participations are free.

If interested, you should send only an email with your full name, occupation, and affiliation to: abderrahim.benslimane@univ-avignon.fr and annamaria.vegni@uniroma3.it by December 4^th, 2024.

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Previous editions

The first edition of this international workshop has been started on 22 December 2023 in Rome, Italy.

https://sn.committees.comsoc.org/special-interest-groups-sigs/special-interest-group-on-social-internet-of-anything-sioa-sig/social-networking-in-metaverse-socmeta-tc-innovation-project/the-first-workshop-on-social-networking-in-metaverse/

where participated two invited keynote speakers, expert in the topic:

• Tania Lorido-Botran (Roblox, USA), “Metaverse, Metastability and Beyond”
• Silvia Giordano (SUPSI, Switzerland), “Metaverse and Online Social Media and Networks”