The Cybersecurity Advisors Network (CyAN) is committed to making our digital environment safe from crime through cooperation and the rule of law. For this reason, CyAN is a signatory to the Multistakeholder Manifesto on the proposed UN Cybercrime Treaty led by the CyberPeace Institute and the Cybersecurity Tech Accord.
Cybercrime is increasing in scale, frequency, and sophistication at an alarming pace the world over. However, despite this growing threat to our societies, there is serious concern that the measures considered in the proposed UN Treaty to combat cybercrime could undermine fundamental human rights and a free, open, and secure internet.
The UN Treaty seeks to dramatically broaden the definition of cybercrime, potentially leading to severe social impacts and changes in the roles of governments in regulating the internet. Privacy, freedom of expression, and current frameworks for combatting cybercrime could all be at risk.
The Manifesto lays out a set of principles and processes to protect the rights and liberties necessary for a peaceful cyberspace with respect for the rule of law. The Manifesto further stresses that the UN Treaty must not undermine existing international legal obligations. Instead, it should focus on building accountability based upon these obligations and international cooperation.
Additionally, the Manifesto highlights the importance of holding cybercrime perpetrators accountable and reducing their operating space. For any international law against cybercrime to be effective, it must also focus on the victims of cybercrime and provide them with effective tools of redress.
The right processes for this treaty must be followed at the UN through meaningful multistakeholder consultation and involvement; transparency, as appropriate; clarity in the scope of what is categorised as cybercrime; and the adoption of a consensus-driven approach.
The CyberPeace Institute, Cybersecurity Tech Accord, and now CyAN call on others to support this Manifesto and prioritise human-centric equities within the proposed UN Cybercrime Treaty.