Overlooked – Presence and awareness cues in the metaverse

Abstract

This article examines how “Presence and Awareness Cues” (PAACs) such as read receipts, online status indicators, and typing notifications shape data disclosure in computer-mediated communication (CMC), with particular focus on emerging metaverse contexts. PAACs are often overlooked in current policy debates despite their potential to reveal sensitive behavioral, relational, and even physiological information. Drawing on a broad review of related literature, we propose a conceptual framework outlining four pillars of mediated presence (PAACs, content, aesthetics, and fidelity), offering policymakers a technology-agnostic lens for anticipating developments in augmented and virtual settings.

We then present findings from a six-country survey (n = 18,358) examining whether and how users notice, interpret, and control PAACs, as well as their willingness to share additional cues in advanced AR/VR environments. Results indicate that most users recognize PAACs across diverse online services and adapt their behavior accordingly. These insights underscore potential policy gaps when biosignals such as heart rate and gaze become integral to projected availability or emotional states.

We conclude that balancing consumer protection with user-friendly interfaces calls for more nuanced oversight, especially as the European AI Act and related legislation could inadvertently limit the adoption of intuitive PAACs. Future research should probe how users negotiate these cues in fully interoperable metaverse environments, particularly when multiple identities or cross-application interactions come into play.