Representatives from nearly 100 countries gathered in Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, to sign the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, a global treaty aimed at combating the growing threat of cybercriminal activity.
During the signing ceremony, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that cyberspace has become a “fertile ground for criminals,” offering them unprecedented reach and speed.
“In cyberspace, no one is safe until everyone is safe. Our vulnerability anywhere can expose people and institutions everywhere. That’s why we need a strong, collective global response,” Guterres stated, as reported by the Associated Press (AP).
The UN explained that the treaty is designed to strengthen international cooperation in fighting the criminal use of computer technologies, including cyberattacks, online fraud, and digital espionage.
However, critics have voiced concerns that the agreement could give governments excessive surveillance powers, potentially leading to violations of human rights through the monitoring of electronic communications and the erosion of privacy protections.
