{"id":5878,"date":"2026-01-14T13:50:03","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T12:50:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cyberagentur.de\/en\/press\/wenn-virtuelle-welten-zur-buehne-der-manipulation-werden\/"},"modified":"2026-01-14T13:50:38","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T12:50:38","slug":"wenn-virtuelle-welten-zur-buehne-der-manipulation-werden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cyberagentur.de\/en\/press\/wenn-virtuelle-welten-zur-buehne-der-manipulation-werden\/","title":{"rendered":"When virtual worlds become a stage for manipulation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Cyberagentur opens up space for research on disinformation in virtual reality<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
\n \"FoUnD-VR\n <\/div>\n
FoUnD-VR opens up new research avenues for analyzing the spread and impact of disinformation in immersive virtual spaces, emphasizes Dr. Andreas Sch\u00f6nau, Research Officer Secure Society. <\/span> \n \n \n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n

On February 3, 2026, the Agentur f\u00fcr Innovation in der Cybersicherheit GmbH invites you to a virtual partnering event from 9:00 to 12:00. The focus will be on the new research program “Research Platform for the Investigation of Disinformation in Virtual Reality (FoUnD-VR)”, which takes a scientific look at the risks of targeted deception and manipulation in immersive digital spaces, which have hardly been researched to date. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

With the rapid rise of immersive technologies, digital spaces are emerging that are far more than just areas for play or experimentation. Virtual worlds are becoming places of social interaction, political opinion-forming and economic activity. <\/p>\n\n

While disinformation has so far mainly been investigated in the context of social networks, traditional online media and messenger services, virtual, augmented and extended reality applications open up a new dimension of influence. In walk-in, three-dimensional environments, visual, auditory and haptic stimuli merge into a highly immersive experience. This creates opportunities for manipulation, ranging from deceptively real avatars and deep-fake interactions to subtly altered virtual spaces – with a potentially significant impact on users’ perceptions, attitudes and decisions. <\/p>\n\n

FoUnD-VR deliberately sets a new accent here: the research program aims to establish a virtual research and test environment in which disinformation can be systematically analyzed in new types of XR spaces for the first time. The focus is on digital worlds such as Metaverse, Omniverse or Citiverse applications in which people interact with other individuals, organizations or institutions. The platform should make it possible to identify previously unknown forms of disinformation, understand their dynamics and gain reliable insights into their mechanisms of action. <\/p>\n\n

FoUnD-VR is designed as disruptive risk research. The aim is to develop scenarios, methods and protection approaches that take into account the specific challenges of immersive technologies. In view of the additional sensory modalities and the high level of emotional involvement in virtual spaces, there is a considerable need for research in order to identify future risks at an early stage and prepare suitable countermeasures. <\/p>\n\n

With this in mind, the Cyberagentur is hosting a virtual partnering event for the planned FoUnD-VR research program on 3 February 2026 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. The event is aimed at scientific institutions, companies and other stakeholders who would like to find out about the program’s key areas of focus at an early stage and explore possible collaborations. <\/p>\n\n

The partnering event provides a structured framework for presenting the objectives, thematic focus and scientific aspirations of the program. After an introduction to the work of the Cyberagentur, the FoUnD-VR research project will be explained. Participants will also have the opportunity to contribute their institutions and specialist expertise in short presentations. The aim of the exchange is to make professional points of contact visible and to facilitate the formation of efficient bidding consortia. The event is designed as a non-binding information and networking format in the run-up to a possible subsequent tender. <\/p>\n\n

Registration for the partnering event is possible until January 23, 2026 via the link Registration Partnering Event FoUnD-VR<\/a>. Participants who would like to briefly present their institution are requested to send presentation slides to found-vr@cyberagentur.de<\/a> by January 31, 2026 at the latest. <\/p>\n\n

If you have any questions, please contact the Safe Society program team at found-vr@cyberagentur.de<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

Further information and registration:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

https:\/\/www.cyberagentur.de\/programme\/found-vr<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Cyberagentur opens up space for research on disinformation in virtual reality On February 3, 2026, the Agentur f\u00fcr Innovation in der Cybersicherheit GmbH invites you to a virtual partnering event from 9:00 to 12:00. The focus will be on the new research program “Research Platform for the Investigation of Disinformation in Virtual Reality (FoUnD-VR)”, which […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":5879,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[55],"tags":[121,120,122],"class_list":["post-5878","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-secure-society","tag-disinformation","tag-found-vr","tag-virtual-rooms"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhen virtual worlds become a stage for manipulation - Cyberagentur<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyberagentur.de\/en\/press\/wenn-virtuelle-welten-zur-buehne-der-manipulation-werden\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"When virtual worlds become a stage for manipulation - Cyberagentur\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Cyberagentur opens up space for research on disinformation in virtual reality On February 3, 2026, the Agentur f\u00fcr Innovation in der Cybersicherheit GmbH invites you to a virtual partnering event from 9:00 to 12:00. 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