The Hong Kong Police Force has introduced a cutting-edge metaverse platform called 'CyberDefender'

May 30, 2023

In a statement released on May 27, the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau (CSTCB) of the Hong Kong Police Force introduced the newly launched metaverse platform, aiming to equip its citizens for the "upcoming challenges in the digital era," particularly emphasizing the prevention of technology-related crimes.

Simultaneously with its launch, the platform hosted an event titled "Exploring the Metaverse," which took place across three virtual venues. The purpose of this event was to facilitate discussions regarding crime prevention strategies within the metaverse. Amidst the event, Ip Cheuk-yu, the chief inspector of the CSTCB, underscored the significance of exercising prudence and vigilance in the metaverse.

He expressed concerns about the decentralized nature of virtual assets in Web3, stating that it could potentially amplify the risk of cyber criminals directing their attention toward endpoint devices, virtual asset wallets, and smart contracts.

Following a substantial surge in virtual asset crime reported in Hong Kong during Q1 2023, the Hong Kong Police Force intends to intensify its educational endeavors concerning technology crime, particularly targeting the younger generation.

During Q1 2023, Hong Kong witnessed the reporting of 663 cases related to virtual assets, resulting in a staggering loss of $570 million. This marked a significant 75% increase compared to the figures recorded in Q1 2022.

Source: Cointelegraph