# Metaverse Architectures: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of Definitions and Frameworks
## 4 Discussion
### Societal and Ethical Implications  
While this study primarily focuses on conceptual clarity and architectural coherence, it is equally important to address the broader societal and ethical considerations that arise from metaverse frameworks. Key areas of concern include, but are not limited to, privacy and data ownership, equitable access, and the socio-psychological consequences stemming from highly immersive environments. Metaverse systems frequently require the collection of comprehensive user data that includes biological, behavioural, and emotional information [112]. This raises substantial concerns about user consent, data exploitation, and prolonged surveillance [113]. The reviewed architectures, especially those lacking specialised governance layers, provide insufficient structural support for safeguarding data or overseeing the ethical use of user information. In the absence of integrated privacy-preserving safeguards, such systems jeopardise transparent data practices and compromise user autonomy [57]. While existing legal frameworks, like the GDPR, are applicable to metaverse environments, there is currently no specific, harmonised international regulation designed to address the unique challenges it presents [114; 115]. Access to metaverse technology is often limited by economic costs, digital literacy, and physical or cognitive obstacles [114]. None of the three examined models clearly incorporates accessibility or inclusivity as fundamental design principles. The lack of such measures can result in the exclusion of disadvantaged people and exacerbate existing digital disparities. A metaverse aligned with ethical standards must incorporate universal design principles to guarantee equal involvement among varied user populations. The highly immersive nature of metaverse environments has the potential to reshape individual perceptions of identity, community, and reality. Sustained engagement within these digital spaces can have ramifications for mental health, social dynamics, and the expression of cultural values [116]. While the five-layer architecture includes a human society layer that touches on these issues, its capacity to incorporate ethical protections or strategies for safeguarding psychological well-being and cultural diversity remains limited. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{p{142.3 pt} p{142.3 pt}} \hline
**Key Observations** & **Explanation** \\ \hline Infrastructural Consistency Across Models & All architectures incorporate a foundational infrastructure stratum that furnishes computing, networking, and storage resources, reflecting shared architectural suppositions regarding technical necessities. \\ \hline Architectural Insight & Architectural design strategies vary, encompassing the consolidation of diverse functionalities within singular layers as well as the distribution of responsibilities across specialised, modular components, with the aim of fostering clarity and modularity. \\ \hline Architectural Absence of Governance Mechanisms & None of the architectures includes a dedicated governance layer. Governance is assumed or partially supported through technologies like blockchain. \\ \hline Interoperability Support & Only the five-layer architecture explicitly incorporates an interconnected virtual worlds layer to facilitate cross-platform interactions. Others assume isolated environments. \\ \hline Progressive Structural Refinement Models & The shift from a three-layer to a five-layer architecture highlights a noticeable move towards increased structural detail, modularity, and system capabilities, reflecting a heightened preparedness for sophisticated metaverse applications. \\ \hline Mismatch Between Structural Potential and Implementation & Architectural components conceptually support functions like governance, but practical implementation often fails to embed them meaningfully. \\ \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 12: Key observation for metaverse architectures.