Countries are hiding censorship in “cybercrime” bills. A UN treaty could make things worse.

Source: Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression
by Sarah McLaughlin

“Late last year, the United Kingdom, France, China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and dozens more nations signed the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime, a treaty ostensibly intended to improve global cooperation to fight crimes taking place over computer systems. Canada joined them this summer. The United States remains a notable exception and says it is still reviewing the treaty. Three nations have since ratified it, and the treaty will enter into force 90 days after 40 states do so. As FIRE has long warned, the treaty opens the door to greater violations of free expression online — and new cybercrime bills popping up around the world show why.” (08/11/26)

https://www.fire.org/news/blogs/free-speech-dispatch/countries-are-hiding-censorship-cybercrime-bills-un-treaty-could