Commission proposes the UN Convention against Cybercrime

On 16 July, the European Commission proposed to the Council to sign the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, as a key international step to tackle online crime and to facilitate access to digital evidence for all serious crimes. 

The new UN Cybercrime Convention will strengthen cooperation in fighting cybercrime including with countries that are currently not parties to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, limiting the possibilities for cybercriminals to benefit from safe havens.  

The Convention will criminalise conducts related to child sexual abuse material, the grooming of children for sexual purposes, and the non-consensual dissemination of intimate images.  

The Convention also includes measures for international cooperation, including the extradition of suspects and the exchange of electronic evidence, to combat increasing offences, such as online fraud and ransomware attacks. This cooperation will respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the rights to data protection and privacy.  

Next steps  

It is now for the Council to adopt the necessary decisions. The decision on concluding the Convention will require the European Parliament to give its consent. Member States will also have to sign and ratify the Convention, in accordance with their national procedures.   

Find out more 

Proposal for a Council decision on the signing of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime

Cybercrime 

International co-operation against cybercrime 

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