Representatives from dozens of countries are set to sign a landmark United Nations cybercrime convention in Hanoi this weekend, in what the UN describes as an unprecedented step to strengthen global cooperation against cyber threats that cost the world trillions of dollars each year.
The treaty, which will come into force once ratified by 40 states, aims to accelerate international responses to cyber offences such as phishing, ransomware, and online trafficking. However, rights groups, major technology companies, and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights have voiced serious concerns about its potential misuse.
Critics say the pact’s vague language could allow governments to expand surveillance and criminalise legitimate online activity. The Cybersecurity Tech Accord — a coalition that includes Meta and Microsoft — has called the agreement “a surveillance treaty,” warning that it risks “making it easier, not harder, for criminals to engage in cybercrime.”
As reported in Reuters, The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which led the negotiations, said the treaty includes safeguards to protect human rights and allows states to reject cooperation requests that conflict with international law.
Human Rights Concerns Shadow Signing
Vietnam’s role as host has also drawn scrutiny. The U.S. State Department’s August report cited “significant human rights issues” in Vietnam, including online censorship and the arrest of at least 40 people this year for social media activity deemed critical of the state.
Advocacy groups argue that signing the treaty in Hanoi “sends a very bad signal” to human rights defenders. Raman Jit Singh Chima of Access Now warned the pact could be used to extradite political dissidents or individuals targeted by repressive regimes.
Vietnam, which has faced a surge in cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, sees the agreement as a way to enhance its cyber defences and raise its international standing. “More international cooperation could help identify perpetrators,” said Le Xuan Minh, head of cybersecurity at Vietnam’s public security ministry.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres is expected to attend the signing ceremony on Saturday.
Safeguards and Industry Warnings
The European Union and Canada are among the countries planning to sign the pact, stating that it includes mechanisms to uphold human rights. The U.S. has not confirmed whether it will send a representative.
Activists and cybersecurity experts are particularly alarmed that the treaty could criminalise ethical hackers — professionals who expose vulnerabilities to strengthen systems. The UNODC responded that the convention “encourages” states to support legitimate research activities.
Despite controversy, supporters of the treaty say it represents a vital step toward building a coordinated global framework against cybercrime. But with key concerns about surveillance, free expression, and due process still unresolved, the fight over how to secure the digital world — and who controls it — is far from over.
