United Nations Convention against Cybercrime

United Nations Convention against Cybercrime
Strengthening International Cooperation for Combating Certain Crimes Committed by Means of Information and Communications Technology Systems and for the Sharing of Evidence in Electronic Form of Serious Crimes
Drafted2017
Signed25 October 2025
LocationHanoi, S.R. Viet Nam
ConditionThis Convention shall enter into force on the ninetieth day after the date of deposit of the fortieth instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.
Signatories74
Ratifiers Qatar

The United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, also known as the Hanoi Convention, is a treaty to facilitate international cooperation in the enforcement of cybercrime laws. It was proposed by Russia in 2017 and adopted by the General Assembly in December 2024 amid resistance from human rights organizations. NGOs, academics, technology companies, and policy experts have criticized the convention for expanding the surveillance and data collection capacities of repressive governments without human rights safeguards. Complaints focus on its vague definition of cybercrime, which can include any crime committed using technology, as well as the way it defers to individual countries, including those with a record of human rights abuses, to determine how to protect human rights.

The signing ceremony was held in Hanoi, Vietnam in October 2025. As of March 2026 there are 74 signatories, but has only been ratified by Qatar.