US Declines to Sign UN Cybercrime Treaty as Over 70 Countries Join Global Agreement

More than 70 countries signed the landmark U.N. Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi this weekend, a significant step in the yearslong effort to create a global mechanism to counteract digital crime.

The U.K. and European Union joined China, Russia, Brazil, Nigeria and dozens of other nations in signing the convention, which lays out new mechanisms for governments to coordinate, build capacity and track those who use technology to commit crimes.

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said cyberspace 'has become fertile ground for criminals' and has allowed threats to proliferate across borders.

The U.S. decision to abstain reflects ongoing concerns about the treaty's potential impact on human rights and digital privacy protections.

Digital rights groups have warned that the convention could be used by authoritarian governments to justify surveillance and crack down on dissent.