Navigating legal complexities of metaverse interoperability: A comparative study of governance models of EU and India

With the metaverse unfolding as a living digital environment, its interoperability between platforms presents intricate legal and regulatory issues.This research performs a comparative analysis of governance paradigms within the European Union (EU) and India in the context of their regulatory responses to metaverse interoperability, portability of data, and preservation of digital rights.By analysing the regulatory environments of both jurisdictions, the study recognises key challenges and explores policy options for achieving a smooth and secure virtual space.In the context of the EU, established frameworks like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Digital Services Act (DSA), Digital Markets Act (DMA), and the newly enacted Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) define the governance approach for digital platforms, including those within the metaverse.India, on the other hand, appears to have the technical and demographic foundations for the metaverse, but is in the nascent stage of metaverse technology regulation.Through the comparison of the EU's rule-based regulatory approach with India's dynamic digital policy environment, this research adds to the general metaverse governance debate.It argues that the structural divide between these two frameworks creates a regulatory vacuum, leaving users unprotected when moving across different platforms.To resolve this issue, the paper introduces a hybrid policy model.This approach integrates the EU's proactive compliance standards with India's unique infrastructure and sovereignty constraints.