A landmark United Nations cybercrime treaty is set to be signed in Hanoi, Vietnam, this weekend by around 60 countries. The treaty aims to tackle online crimes that cost the global economy trillions of dollars every year.
The convention will come into effect once 40 nations ratify it. It is designed to streamline international cooperation against cybercrime, covering offences from phishing and ransomware to online trafficking and hate speech. However, some activists and tech companies have raised concerns over potential human rights risks.
“Cyberspace has become fertile ground for criminals…every day, sophisticated scams defraud families, steal livelihoods, and drain billions of dollars from our economies,” said U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the opening ceremony. “The U.N. Cybercrime Convention is a powerful, legally binding instrument to strengthen our collective defences against cybercrime.”
Vietnam’s President Luong Cuong called the signing “not only the birth of a global legal instrument, but also an affirmation of multilateralism, where countries overcome differences and shoulder responsibilities together for peace, security, stability, and development.”
Critics have warned that the treaty’s broad definitions could enable misuse. The Cybersecurity Tech Accord, which includes major tech companies, described it as a “surveillance treaty,” suggesting it could facilitate government data sharing and criminalise ethical hackers.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, which led the negotiations, stated that the treaty contains provisions to protect human rights and supports legitimate research.
The European Union, the United States, and Canada have sent diplomats and officials to participate in the signing. Vietnam’s role as host has drawn scrutiny, with the U.S. noting “significant human rights issues,” including online censorship. Human rights groups report that at least 40 people have been arrested this year for online dissent.
Vietnam sees the treaty as a way to strengthen its cyber defences and enhance its global standing amid growing threats to critical infrastructure.
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