Key Human Rights at Stake:

• Right to Privacy:
  As XR systems collect vast amounts of biometric and environmental data, the right to privacy is directly threatened. Users and bystanders may be continuously monitored without adequate awareness, especially in public and semi-public settings. This undermines the individual’s ability to control their personal data and maintain boundaries.
• Freedom of Thought and Mental Integrity:
  Immersive XR environments, particularly when enhanced by AI, can influence user cognition, behaviour, and emotions. This raises concerns about manipulation, especially in marketing, political communication, or gamified platforms. D5.1 points out that these technologies may exploit subconscious responses, thus infringing upon cognitive freedom and mental self-determination.

Autonomy and Consent:
The ability to make autonomous decisions is compromised in XR contexts

• where consent is obscured or coerced—particularly in hierarchical settings like workplaces or schools. Power imbalances can result in “consent” that is neither informed nor voluntary, violating the individual’s right to autonomy.
• Right to Equality and Non-Discrimination:
  XR technologies may inadvertently exclude or harm marginalised groups. As D2.1 and D3.1 describe, individuals with disabilities, children, neurodivergent users, and economically disadvantaged populations face barriers to access, representation, and protection in XR. Discrimination can arise both from poor design and from how the systems are deployed and regulated.
• Protection from Harassment and Abuse:
  Virtual environments introduce risks of identity theft, cyberbullying, and sexual harassment. D5.1 reports incidents of virtual sexual assault, doxing, and targeted abuse, particularly affecting vulnerable populations like children and women. These experiences can be psychologically traumatic due to the immersive nature of XR.

Examples of Violations in Context:

• Children’s Rights:
  Children are especially vulnerable to XR’s immersive and persuasive power. Issues include inadequate parental consent, exposure to harmful content, and limited regulatory oversight. The lack of age-appropriate design and moderation tools heightens the risk of exploitation and grooming.
• Rights of Persons with Disabilities:
  Without adaptive interfaces or inclusive design, XR technologies fail to meet accessibility standards. This can systematically exclude people with sensory, motor, or cognitive impairments from educational, professional, or social participation—violating the right to equal access and inclusion.
• Freedom from Exploitation:
  In sectors like employment or education, XR use for training or monitoring may lead to surveillance and exploitation. Workers or students may be exposed to behavioural tracking, performance evaluation, or profiling, often without genuine recourse or opt-out options.

Structural and Legal Gaps:

• Current human rights protections are not consistently applied or interpreted in XR contexts.
• There is a lack of enforceable frameworks that safeguard against rights violations occurring in virtual spaces.
• Limited awareness and recourse mechanisms reduce the ability of users to defend their rights, especially across jurisdictional boundaries.