Landmark UN cybercrime treaty to tackle global offences
A landmark United Nations cybercrime treaty aimed at combating crimes that cost the global economy trillions of dollars a year will be signed in Vietnam.
The convention, which will come into force after being ratified by 40 countries at a ceremony and conference held in the capital Hanoi, is expected to facilitate international cooperation against cybercrime, but has been criticized by activists and technology companies over concerns of possible human rights violations.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in Hanoi: “Cyberspace has become a fertile ground for criminals… every day, sophisticated scams defraud families, steal livelihoods and drain billions of dollars from our economies.”
“The UN Convention on Cybercrime is a powerful and legally binding document to strengthen our collective defense against cybercrime.”
The convention targets a wide range of crimes, from phishing and ransomware to online trafficking and hate speech, the UN said, citing estimates that cybercrime costs the global economy trillions of dollars each year.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong said the signing of the convention “not only marks the birth of a global legal instrument, but also confirms the enduring vitality of multilateralism, in which countries overcome differences and are willing to jointly assume responsibilities for common interests such as peace, security, stability and development.”
Critics warned that the vague definition of crime could lead to abuse.
The Cybersecurity Technology Pact, which includes Meta and Microsoft, called the pact an “oversight agreement” and said it could make it easier to share data between governments and criminalize ethical hackers who test systems for vulnerabilities.
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which is leading the deal negotiations, said the agreement includes provisions to protect human rights and encourage legitimate research activities.
The European Union, the United States and Canada sent diplomats and officials to Hanoi to sign the agreement.
Vietnam’s role as host has also sparked controversy.
The US State Department recently flagged “significant human rights issues” in the country, including online censorship.
Human Rights Watch says at least 40 people have been arrested this year for using dissident expressions online.
Vietnam sees the agreement as an opportunity to improve its global posture and cyber defenses at a time when attacks on critical infrastructure are increasing.
