UN cybercrime treaty risks becoming a 'global surveillance pact'

The United Nations is discussing an international cybercrime treaty that aims to define online crime and improve cooperation between member states in combating it. However, there are concerns among many governments and civil rights advocates that the treaty could become a “global surveillance pact” that tramples data privacy and human rights, particularly if the wording of the draft changes significantly. Advocates argue that without proper safeguards, the treaty could allow governments to persecute activists, journalists, and marginalized groups, as well as criminalize certain speech and online activities. They call for mandatory dual criminality, judicial authorization for surveillance, and minimum data protection standards to be included in the treaty to protect human rights.