UN Member States Approve Treaty Targeting Cybercrime Amid Human Rights Concerns

United Nations member states on Thursday approved a treaty targeting cybercrime, the body's first such text, despite fierce opposition from human rights activists and tech companies who warned of potential surveillance dangers. After three years of negotiations, the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime was adopted by consensus and will now be submitted to the General Assembly for formal adoption. The treaty aims to prevent and combat cybercrime more efficiently and effectively, but its detractors claim it could be used for global surveillance and repression.

Key Takeaways:

• The United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime was adopted by consensus after three years of negotiations.
• The treaty aims to prevent and combat cybercrime, particularly child sexual abuse imagery and money laundering.
• The adopted text allows member states to request electronic evidence from other countries and internet service providers in investigating crimes punishable by at least four years' imprisonment.
• The treaty has faced opposition from human rights activists and big tech companies, who claim it could be used for global surveillance and repression.
• The treaty will enter into force once ratified by 40 member nations.
• The Russian government initially proposed the treaty in 2017, despite US and European opposition.
• Algerian diplomat Faouzia Boumaiza Mebarki, chairwoman of the treaty drafting committee, welcomed the adoption of the treaty with applause.

Statistics:

• 40 member nations must ratify the treaty for it to enter into force.
• The treaty aims to combat cybercrime, particularly child sexual abuse imagery and money laundering.
• The adopted text allows member states to request electronic evidence from other countries and internet service providers in investigating crimes punishable by at least four years' imprisonment.
• The treaty has been three years in the making, with negotiations concluding in a two-week session in New York.

Sources:

• Reuters: "UN approves cybercrime treaty amid human rights concerns"

"United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime"

• TheGuardian: "Human rights activists and tech companies express concerns over UN cybercrime treaty"