United Nations Convention against Cybercrime:
The United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (UNCC), the world’s first global framework to tackle cybercrime, moved closer to becoming legally binding after 72 of 193 UN member states signed the treaty.
- The UNCC officially called the Convention on Cybercrime: Strengthening International Cooperation to Combat Crimes Committed Through Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Systems, is the first international criminal justice treaty to have been negotiated in over 20 years.
- The convention, developed by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), was adopted by consensus under UN General Assembly Resolution 79/243 in December 2024.
- UNCC provides legal measures to address crimes committed via ICT systems.
- It facilitates cross-border sharing of electronic evidence in serious crimes crimes such as illegal data interception, hacking, money laundering, and online child sexual abuse material.
- The convention promotes capacity building and technical assistance for developing nations.
- UNCC also includes human rights protections while enabling digital law enforcement.
- UNCC establishes a Conference of the States Parties to monitor and review implementation.
- UNODC serves as the secretariat for the Convention, providing technical support, training, and assistance for national implementation, along with guidance through its Global Programme on Cybercrime.
- States that did not sign may later accede by depositing an instrument of accession.
- India has not signed the UNCC as of October 2025, despite being an active participant in its drafting.
- Earlier India also declined to sign the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, consistent with its approach of wanting a greater role in shaping global digital frameworks.
