Prominent figures and organizations are urging governments to reconsider their support for the UN cybercrime treaty, citing critical flaws in the latest draft that could lead to privacy violations and increased cyber risks. The open letter, signed by more than 130 influential individuals, warns that the current version of the treaty could undermine trust, cooperation, and human rights, ultimately making individuals and institutions more vulnerable to cybercrime.
A Call to Address Escalating Global Risks
The open letter, published ahead of the Munich Security Conference and the UN Summit for the Future, comes at a time when the world is grappling with multiple crises, including the climate crisis, pandemics, nuclear weapons, and unregulated AI. The signatories, which include former heads of state and Nobel laureates, are calling for “long-view leadership” to address these challenges.
Critical Flaws in the UN Cybercrime Treaty
The letter highlights several concerns with the latest draft of the UN cybercrime treaty. These include:
- Vague criminalization provisions: The signatories argue that the treaty’s current language is too broad and could lead to the criminalization of legitimate activities, such as cybersecurity research and investigative journalism.
- Lack of human rights safeguards: The letter warns that the treaty does not adequately protect human rights, including the right to privacy and freedom of expression.
- Broad provisions for data collection: The signatories are concerned that the treaty’s current provisions for data collection could lead to privacy violations and increased cyber risks.
Measures to Address Global Risks
In addition to calling for changes to the UN cybercrime treaty, the open letter proposes several measures to address the escalating global risks. These include:
- Financing the transition from fossil fuels: The signatories argue that the world must invest in renewable energy and phase out fossil fuels to address the climate crisis.
- Developing a pandemic treaty: The letter calls for a global agreement to prevent, detect, and respond to future pandemics.
- Resuming nuclear arms talks: The signatories urge world leaders to resume negotiations on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
- Establishing global AI governance: The letter argues that the world must develop a framework for governing AI to ensure that it is used in a way that benefits all of humanity.
As world leaders gather for the Munich Security Conference and the UN Summit for the Future, the open letter serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that lie ahead. The signatories are calling for bold action and long-view leadership to address these crises and build a more secure, sustainable, and equitable future for all.
The full text of the open letter can be found on the website of the CyberPeace Institute, one of the organizations that coordinated the effort. The signatories include Mary Robinson, Ban Ki-moon, Juan Manuel Santos, and Christiana Figueres, among others.