The UN Cybercrime Treaty is Final, Here’s What You Need to Know

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Presented at ShmooCon 2025 by

Kurt Opsahl

In August 2024, over the objections of many civil society groups, the United Nations finalized the text of the draft international Convention on Cybercrime, which it intends to be adopted by a member state near you starting in 2025, superseding existing law. In the years since I last presented on the treaty, there have been many changes, some good, but many issues remain. This presentation will provide an overview of the cybercrime treaty, explain how and why the proposed provisions will affect security researchers and cybersecurity professionals, as well as dive into the serious civil liberties and human rights concerns with the text. While the cybercrime treaty is moving forward with momentum, there remain ways to get better or worse. We will also cover your opportunities to push back or mitigate its effects.