Countries worldwide turn to Council of Europe Cybercrime Convention
Strasbourg, 13.06.2007 - To fight ICT-based crimes like child pornography,
money laundering, fraud and terrorism through the internet, countries
worldwide are turning to the Council of Europe's innovative Cybercrime
Convention, which includes provisions for a 24 hours per day, 7 days per
week online crime-fighting network and facilitates public-private
partnerships.
Held on 11 and 12 June in Strasbourg, the conference gathered over 140
cybercrime experts from 55 countries, international organisations and the
private sector to promote the Convention - the only internationally binding
instrument against cyber crime.
To date, the Convention has been ratified by 21 states and signed by another
22, including non-Council of Europe states. Indeed, reforms to fight
web-based crime based on Convention guidelines are already underway in
Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, India, Nigeria, Pakistan and the Philippines.
Experts agreed that cybercrime is an increasing threat worldwide - and the
conference included detailed discussions on specific web-based threats such
as malicious codes and software, spam mail that carries such software,
"botnets," which spread adware and spyware, fraudulent online virtual pay
systems and web-based sexual exploitation of children.
The Convention's Protocol on Xenophobia and Racism - to date ratified by 11
and signed by another 20 states - includes specific provisions to fight hate
crimes on the web.
During the conference, the Microsoft Corporation outlined the benefits from
its public-private partnership with the Council of Europe. Microsoft
attorney Tim Cranton called for three major rules for such partnerships to
assure better cooperation between industry and law enforcement bodies, and
balance privacy rights with security needs: open communication, a clear
understanding of roles and responsibilities and trust between the two
partners.
Looking ahead, the Council of Europe will contribute to the next meeting of
the Internet Governance Forum to be held in Rio de Janeiro in November 2007.
More information, including the conference summary, is available at
www.coe.int/cybercrime
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