Budapest Convention
The Convention on Cybercrime of the EC (CETS No.185), known as the Budapest Convention, serves as a guideline for developing comprehensive national legislation against cybercrime and as a framework for international cooperation between State Parties to this treaty. It is supplemented by a Protocol on Xenophobia and Racism committed through computer systems.[1]
Overview
The Convention is the first international treaty on Internet and computer-network crimes. It focuses on copyright infringement, computer-related fraud, child pornography, and network security violations. It outlines powers and procedures, such as searching computer networks and making interceptions.
History
- The treaty was opened in Budapest on November 23, 2001.
- The convention first went into force on July 01, 2004, following its ratification by five members, including 3 EC states.
- By April 28, 2021, 45 EC member states and 21 non-member states had signed and ratified the treaty.[2]