Closed petition Ban the use of advertising in virtual and augmented reality

Closed on 11 May 2022

New virtual and augmented reality products, such as VR gaming headsets and enhanced reality glasses, could give advertisers new, invasive access to children and the vulnerable. Until more research has been done on its safety, the Government should ban advertising in these immersive, virtual worlds.

Virtual and augmented reality technology creates an immersive, multisensory environment. However, it offers advertisers new and unprecedented access to these virtual worlds, which users (as the name suggests) are encouraged to treat as an enriched kind of reality. The psychological effect of this newly invasive access, notably to children and vulnerable people, remains unknown. Banning advertising in VR will help these unique spaces to stay safe and healthy, rather than coercive and manipulative.