Around 60 countries are set to sign a landmark United Nations cybercrime treaty in Hanoi, Vietnam, over the weekend, marking the first global effort to combat offences that cost the world economy trillions of dollars annually.
The convention, which will come into force once ratified by 40 nations, aims to strengthen international cooperation against a wide range of cybercrimes. However, activists and technology companies have voiced concerns that the treaty’s vague language could lead to human rights abuses and increased government surveillance.
“Cyberspace has become fertile ground for criminals… every day, sophisticated scams defraud families, steal livelihoods, and drain billions of dollars from our economies,” U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said during the opening ceremony. “The U.N. Cybercrime Convention is a powerful, legally binding instrument to strengthen our collective defences against cybercrime.”
The treaty covers offences such as phishing, ransomware, online trafficking, and hate speech. The U.N. estimates that cybercrime costs the global economy trillions of dollars annually.
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Vietnam’s President, Luong Cuong, described the convention as “a milestone for global cooperation,” saying it “affirms the enduring vitality of multilateralism, where countries overcome differences and shoulder responsibilities together for peace, security, and development.”
However, critics warn that the treaty’s broad definitions could be exploited. The Cybersecurity Tech Accord whose members include Meta and Microsoft has dubbed it a “surveillance treaty,” saying it could facilitate excessive data sharing among governments and criminalise ethical hackers.
The U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which led the negotiations, said the treaty contains safeguards for human rights and supports legitimate cybersecurity research.
Delegates from the European Union, the United States, and Canada are among those attending the signing in Hanoi.
Vietnam’s hosting of the event has drawn attention from human rights groups. The U.S. State Department recently cited “significant human rights issues” in the country, including online censorship. Human Rights Watch reported that at least 40 individuals have been arrested this year for expressing dissent online.
Despite the controversy, Vietnam views the treaty as an opportunity to enhance its global standing and strengthen its cyber defences amid growing threats to critical infrastructure.
