UN members: Reached agreement on draft United Nations convention against cybercrime

On 9 August 2024, the United Nations (UN) Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) announced that the Member States had finalised the draft cybercrime convention, aiming to strengthen international cooperation in combating cybercrime. The convention will be the first global legally binding instrument on cybercrime and the first multilateral anti-crime treaty in over 20 years. The convention seeks to enhance global efforts in preventing, prosecuting, and providing technical assistance to address cybercrime, with a particular focus on supporting developing countries. Furthermore, the convention criminalises various cyber activities, including illegal access, interception, data interference, and system interference. Furthermore, it addresses specific crimes related to online child exploitation, the non-consensual dissemination of intimate images, and the misuse of cyber tools. These actions are established as criminal offences, with penalties for those involved. Procedural measures outlined in the convention include guidelines for the preservation, collection, and seizure of electronic data, emphasising the need for safeguards to protect human rights during enforcement. In addition, the convention sets out how countries should establish jurisdiction over cybercrimes and promote international cooperation through mutual legal assistance and extradition, along with provisions for the protection of personal data during such cooperation. In addition, the convention includes provisions for the protection and support of victims and witnesses. Finally, the convention includes articles on its application to existing international agreements, procedures for amendment, and the resolution of disputes between states regarding the interpretation or application of the convention. The convention is expected to be adopted later this year.