The UN’s idea to categorize some speech as a “cyber crime”

Earlier this month representatives from several rights groups attended talks in Vienna. The talks were dedicated to the United Nations Cybercrime Treaty and lasted until January 20.

Organizations such as the EFF, together with Privacy International, in December submitted to UN members its concerns, observations and recommendations regarding the document. The main goal of the submission is to limit the scope of the UN treaty, particularly where it concerns criminal liability and technology.

The meeting announced on January 9 is the fourth of seven, the process having started nearly a year ago, and EFF sees it as the start of the "critical" phase of the talks.

The treaty is a proposal that the digital rights group says contains a number of provisions that would represent serious harm to free speech and privacy, and would negatively affect journalists, whistleblowers, etc., regardless of the fact their activities may be legitimate.

…