US plans to support controversial cybercrime UN treaty despite fears it could
be misused

Date:
Tue, 12 Nov 2024 19:27:00 +0000

Description:
Top officials confirm the US plans to vote in favour of the controversial
cybercrime convention.

FULL STORY

A new draft of the UN Cybercrime Convention is set to face a key vote, and 
the Biden administration is reportedly set to support the treaty, despite
criticism from digital rights organizations and human rights campaigners. 

The convention is the first piece of legally binding legislation from the UN
regarding cybersecurity, and its supporters hope to use it to establish a
global framework for states to use to investigate and prevent cybercrime. 

However, not only does Cisco think the treaty falls short of sufficiently
protecting basic human rights, but some campaigners have said this convention
will actually make it easier for authoritarian regimes to abuse their power
and expand policing and surveillance.

Extensive deliberation 

 US officials confirmed there had been consultations with allied states and
reviewed hundreds of written submissions from non-government organizations,
and ultimately decided to remain with consensus. 

A contributing factor to the support from the US was the need to influence
later amendments and updates to the treaty, which would be made easier by
support from the early stages. 

A group of Democratic senators recently wrote the treaty could legitimize
efforts by authoritarian countries to censor and surveil internet users and
political activists. 

While the executive branchs efforts to steer this treaty in a less-harmful
direction are commendable, more must be done to keep the convention from 
being used to justify such actions, the senators said in a joint letter to 
the Secretary of State, Attorney General, and others. 

A primary concern for digital rights groups is that the treaty doesnt focus 
on crimes committed against computer systems, such as ransomware . Instead,
the legislation focuses on digital communication systems, and could be used 
as an extension of police surveillance powers rather than protecting internet
users and companies from cybercrime. 

Via Politico

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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/us-plans-to-support-controversial-cyber
crime-un-treaty-despite-fears-it-could-be-misused

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