Around 70 countries sign new UN Cybercrime Convention—but not everyone’s on board

Around 70 countries have signed the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, described as the first global treaty to combat cybercrime through unified international rules and cooperation. The treaty needs at least 40 UN member states to ratify it before it becomes international law, after which 90 days would pass for the convention to become legally binding for all signatories.

Notably, the United States declined to sign, with a State Department spokesperson saying: “The United States continues to review the treaty.” The agreement has sparked debate over privacy and how far law enforcement powers should reach, with supporters arguing it closes legal loopholes while critics say it could expand surveillance and threaten privacy and free expression.

Some observers worry it could criminalise legitimate research and enable cross-border data exchange without strong safeguards for due process and human rights. Overall, experts say the treaty aims to counter cross-border cybercrime, but concerns remain about definitions, state control, and oversight.