More than 60 UN member states have signed the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime in Hanoi, Vietnam, marking the world’s first treaty focused on tackling digital crimes. However, the move has sparked opposition from major tech companies and human rights groups warning it could expand state surveillance and curb free expression.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hailed the agreement as an “important milestone”, emphasizing the need for global unity to combat rising online crimes such as scams, child exploitation, and financial fraud. “Every day, sophisticated scams destroy families and drain billions from our economy. We need a strong, connected global response,” Guterres stated.
The treaty, originally proposed by Russia in 2017, aims to establish international cooperation on cybercrime investigations and data sharing. Once ratified, it will become binding for the signatory nations.
However, critics say the treaty’s broad language could enable government overreach and cross-border repression. Sabhanaz Rashid Diya, founder of Tech Global Institute, noted that it could
“compel companies to share data and legitimize practices used against journalists in authoritarian states.”
Major tech firms, including Meta, Dell, and Infosys, represented by the Cybersecurity Tech Accord, have also voiced concerns. They warn that the treaty may criminalize cybersecurity researchers and pose risks to global IT systems.
Human Rights Watch and other organizations called the safeguards within the treaty “weak,” questioning its signing in Vietnam, a country often criticized for restricting online dissent.
Despite controversies, analysts say the treaty reflects a global effort to confront the growing menace of cybercrime, which costs the world over $10 trillion annually.