On 25 October 2025, Department of Information and Communications Technology (“DICT“) Secretary Henry R. Aguda signed the United Nations (“UN“) Convention against Cybercrime (“Convention“) at the National Convention Center in Ha Noi, Vietnam, making the Philippines one of the first countries to join this landmark treaty.
Adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2024, the Convention is the first comprehensive global treaty designed to combat crimes committed through information and communication technologies (“ICT“) and to facilitate the exchange of electronic evidence in serious criminal cases. The treaty establishes a robust framework to prevent and address global cybercrime by strengthening international cooperation, providing technical assistance, and supporting capacity-building efforts particularly for developing nations. Notably, it is also the first international treaty to criminalise the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, marking a significant step forward in protecting victims of online abuse.
Under the Convention, the following acts are criminalised: (i) illegal access to ICT systems; (ii) illegal interception of non-public electronic data transmissions; (iii) interference with electronic data or ICT systems; (iv) misuse of devices that enable such offences; (v) ICT system-related forgery; (vi) ICT system-related theft or fraud; (vii) offences involving online child sexual abuse or child sexual exploitation material; (viii) solicitation or grooming for the purpose of committing sexual offenses against a child; (ix) non-consensual dissemination of intimate images; and (x) laundering of proceeds from these offences.
The Philippines played a key role in shaping the Convention, advocating for stronger online child protection measures, enhanced technical support for developing countries, and a balanced approach between law enforcement powers and the protection of human rights and privacy.
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