60 countries sign UN cybercrime treaty amid concerns over misuse and oversight

Over 60 countries signed the UN’s first global treaty against cybercrime in Hanoi, aiming to strengthen international cooperation against online scams, fraud, and digital crimes. While officials called it a major step forward, experts and rights groups warned that weak safeguards could allow governments to misuse the treaty.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasised the need for a global response to cybercrime at the opening ceremony in Hanoi on Saturday. He said, “Every day, online scams destroy families, take advantage of migrants, and steal billions of dollars. We need a strong, connected global effort to stop this.”

Vietnam’s government said 60 countries have registered for the signing, though the full list has not been revealed.

The UN Convention against Cybercrime was first proposed by Russian diplomats in 2017 and approved last year after long discussions. However, some critics warn that the treaty’s broad wording could be misused by governments to target critics or interfere with personal freedoms.

Experts said cybercrime is a global problem, highlighting the growth of online scams in Southeast Asia that have defrauded victims worldwide of billions of dollars.Technology companies also raised concerns. The Cybersecurity Tech Accord, which represents over 160 companies including Meta, Dell, and Infosys, did not attend the Hanoi event.

They warned that the treaty could make cybersecurity researchers criminals and give governments too much power to act against almost any online crime, which could put important IT systems at risk.

Human Rights Watch also criticized the choice of Vietnam for the signing, noting the country’s history of controlling online speech. While the treaty includes some protections for human rights, experts say it could still be misused if not applied carefully.