A landmark United Nations cybercrime treaty, designed to combat offences costing the global economy trillions of dollars each year, is set to be signed in Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, this weekend by nearly 60 nations.
The convention will come into force once it is ratified by at least 40 countries. It aims to bolster global cooperation in tackling cybercrime, though it has drawn criticism from rights activists and technology firms over potential risks to privacy and human rights.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at the opening ceremony, “Cyberspace has become fertile ground for criminals… every day, sophisticated scams defraud families, steal livelihoods, and drain billions of dollars from our economies.
“The UN Cybercrime Convention is a powerful, legally binding instrument to strengthen our collective defences against cybercrime.
“The convention covers a wide range of crimes, including phishing, ransomware, online trafficking, and hate speech. The UN estimates cybercrime drains trillions from the global economy each year.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong said the signing “not only marks the birth of a global legal instrument, but also affirms the enduring vitality of multilateralism, where countries overcome differences and are willing to shoulder responsibilities together for the common interests of peace, security, stability and development.”
However, critics have voiced concern that the treaty’s broad and ambiguous definitions could enable misuse. The Cybersecurity Tech Accord- which includes Meta and Microsoft- described it as a “surveillance treaty,” warning it could promote excessive government data sharing and penalise ethical hackers who identify system weaknesses.
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which led the drafting process, said the agreement contains safeguards to protect human rights and legitimate research efforts. Representatives from the European Union, the United States, and Canada joined diplomats in Hanoi to sign the pact.
Vietnam’s hosting of the event has also stirred debate. The US State Department recently highlighted “significant human rights issues” in the country, including censorship of online content. Human Rights Watch reports at least 40 individuals have been detained this year for expressing dissent on the internet.
Vietnam sees the convention as an opportunity to strengthen its cybersecurity capabilities and reinforce its global reputation amid growing cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure.
