The Cybercrime Programme Office of the Council of Europe (C-PROC) today completed an update of the state of cybercrime legislation in countries worldwide. This cursory overview – maintained since 2013 – confirms further progress by 30 June 2021 in all regions of the world in terms of criminal law.

Today, 124 UN Member States (64%) are considered to have criminalized offences against and by means of computers largely in line with the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime. This represents a considerable increase in just 18 months since the last survey, in particular in the African region. Examples in this respect were presented during the 2^nd Africa Forum on Cybercrime earlier this week. An increase is also noted with respect to procedural powers to secure electronic evidence: 92 States (48%) now have provisions in place corresponding to Articles 16 to 21 of the Budapest Convention.

This treaty currently has 66 Parties and another 11 States that have signed it or been invited to accede. However, by 30 June 2021, 158 States have used it as a guideline or source for their domestic legislation. Much of this is due to capacity building activities carried out by C-PROC. By 30 June 2021, some 185 States worldwide (96% of UN Members) had participated in one way or the other in Council of Europe activities on cybercrime.

The forthcoming Octopus Conference from 16 to 18 November 2021 will provide an opportunity for further discussion on the state of cybercrime legislation. A special event will take place on that occasion on the 20^th anniversary of the Budapest Convention and on its forthcoming 2^nd Additional Protocol on enhanced cooperation and disclosure of electronic evidence.

 Consult the Global State of Cybercrime Legislation 2013-2021: A Cursory Overview (version 30 June 2021)