United Nations Convention against Cybercrime

Syllabus: GS3/Cybersecurity

Context

• 72 nations have signed a landmark United Nations Convention against Cybercrime treaty in Hanoi aimed at tackling cybercrime.

United Nations Convention against Cybercrime

• Aim: It proposes a legislative framework to boost international cooperation among law enforcement agencies and offer technical assistance to countries that lack adequate infrastructure for combating cybercrime.
• First Universal Convention: The Convention against Cybercrime establishes the first universal framework for investigating and prosecuting offences committed online – from ransomware and financial fraud to the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.
• Adoption: It was adopted by the General Assembly in 2024 after five years of negotiation.
  • The signing process is expected to remain open till next year.
• Legally Binding: The UN Cybercrime Convention is a powerful, legally binding instrument to strengthen the collective defences against cybercrime.
• Key Provisions: It criminalises the following types of crimes:
  • Cyber-dependent crimes: Unauthorized access (hacking), data interference.
  • Cyber-enabled crimes: Online fraud, non-consensual dissemination of intimate images.
  • Child exploitation: Online sexual abuse, distribution of abuse material, solicitation/grooming.
  • It  facilitates the sharing of electronic evidence across borders and establishes a 24/7 cooperation network among States.
  • It also makes history as the first international treaty to recognise the non-consensual dissemination of intimate images as an offence – a significant victory for victims of online abuse.
• Enforcement: It will enter into force 90 days after the 40th State deposits its ratification.
• Conference of the States Parties: After entry into force, a Conference of the States Parties will convene periodically to improve the capacity of and cooperation between States Parties.
• Secretariat: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime serves as the secretariat to the Ad Hoc Committee and to the future Conference of the States Parties.

Significance

• Global cybercrime costs are projected to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, the treaty will be instrumental in combating cybercrime.
• The new convention is expected to reshape how countries tackle cybercrime at a time when digital threats are rising sharply. 
• For many governments, particularly in the Global South, the treaty represents an opportunity to access training, technical assistance and real-time cooperation channels.
• It reinforces international solidarity through capacity-building and cooperation.

Other Major International Conventions on Cyber Crimes

• Budapest Convention on Cybercrime (Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime): It is the first international treaty specifically addressing crimes committed via the internet and other computer networks.
  • It includes provisions on offenses such as illegal access, data interference, system interference, and content-related crimes. 
• Internet Governance Forum: The United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) serves to bring people together from various stakeholder groups, as equals, in discussions on digital public policy. 
• African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection (Malabo Convention): This convention focuses on cybersecurity and personal data protection on the African continent.
  • It outlines principles for preventing cyber threats, protecting critical information infrastructure, and facilitating international cooperation.

Source: UN