Cybercrime Programme Office of the Council of Europe (C-PROC)

Save the Date: 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐮𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓! Held every 12 to 18 months by the Council of Europe, the #OctopusConference constitutes one of the biggest and finest platforms of exchange in #cybercrime gathering experts from more than 100 countries, international organisations, private sector and academia. This year, the Octopus Conference will take place between 𝟒-𝟔 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞, in 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐠, 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, at the Council of Europe’s Headquarters in the 𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐞 𝐥’𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞. The conference is being organised in cooperation with the Presidency of Malta in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (May – November 2025). The event will provide an opportunity to interface for cybercrime experts from public and private sectors as well as international and non-governmental organisations from all over the world. High-level interventions are envisaged. The conference will also include an area where projects, partners and other initiatives will have the possibility to showcase their work. Should you wish to do so, please reach out to the Conference secretariat. Working languages will be English, French and Spanish. Participation is subject to 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 and is free of charge. Registration will be open from 1 March to 30 April 2025 on the dedicated Conference webpage. The Octopus Conference is part of the #OctopusProject (funded by voluntary contributions) and is supported by our other #CPROC projects. Download our Save the Date: https://lnkd.in/dKbNZQrk Consult the dedicated #OctopusConference2025 webpage for preliminary details on the sessions and workshops envisaged: https://lnkd.in/dB2C8RSC Learn more about previous editions of the Octopus Conference: https://lnkd.in/dSppaRSh Octopus Project webpage: www.coe.int/octopusproject Cybercrime Programme Office of the Council of Europe (C-PROC): www.coe.int/cproc

Every year, the #InternationalWomensDay is an opportunity to take a look back at the steps taken in the field of women’s rights and equality. In particular, the past year has seen significant advancements in strengthening legal frameworks to combat #cyberviolence. In May 2024, European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union adopted the Directive (EU) 2024/1385 on combating violence against women and domestic violence. It provides an EU-wide legal basis for preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, including online. The directive aims to ensure a minimum level of protection across the EU against such violence. The law criminalises, amongst others, the following offences across the EU: non-consensual sharing of intimate images (#NCDII), #cyberstalking, #cyberharassment, and cyber incitement to hatred or violence. It applies to all victims of violence against women and domestic violence, regardless of their gender. The new Committee of Experts on Combating Technology-Facilitated Violence against Women and Girls (GEC/PC-eVIO) convened its inaugural meeting on 1-2 October 2024 in Strasbourg. Within the framework of the #ReykjavikDeclaration, the Committee is expected to formulate a #Recommendation addressing 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲-𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬. In December 2024, the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) adopted the UN "Convention against Cybercrime; Strengthening International Cooperation for Combating Certain Crimes Committed by Means of Information and Communications Technology Systems and for the Sharing of Evidence in Electronic Form of Serious Crimes". The new Treaty, to be opened for signature in Hanoi, Vietnam, in 2025, covers many of the aspects of the 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 (#BudapestConvention), reaffirming its relevance and reliability, despite the many technological developments of the past two decades. The UN Convention also covers more specifically current growing concerns such as the non-consensual dissemination of intimate images (#NCDII). The Council of Europe (CoE), through its different sectors, has continued to support countries in advancing laws and policies to improve protection measures, enhance the capabilities of relevant institutions and raise awareness of digital and sexual violence as distinct forms of violence against women, in line with the #IstanbulConvention and the #BudapestConvention. #CoECyberviolence Our #CPROC colleagues will support, through the #OctopusProject, countries in Southeast Asia in addressing cyberviolence against women. The CoE gratefully acknowledges the voluntary contribution of the Government of Japan to support this stream of action against #cybercrime and #cyberviolence against women. Newsroom: https://lnkd.in/dtFsm2mV Cyberviolence Resource: www.coe.int/cyberviolence

“The AI and digital revolution must also be a revolution for gender equality,” says Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset ahead of International Women’s Day. “Together, we can break down barriers to build a future where women and girls lead, innovate, and drive the digital world forward,” he continues, calling for greater 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐈 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝. Despite progress, women remain underrepresented in critical digital sectors and decision-making roles. Currently, only 22% of AI professionals worldwide are women (World Economic Forum, 2022). In Europe, the latest data reveals a persistent gender gap in research and innovation: women hold just 20% of top academic positions in Science and Engineering (#EU report ‘She Figures’, 2022). Women’s equal involvement in digital developments is crucial to make sure technological advancements benefit society. With women making a full contribution to these fields, we can drive more inclusive, innovative, and impactful progress for everyone. #Artificialintelligence (AI) has the potential to advance #genderequality by identifying and addressing disparities in treatment and by amplifying women’s voices in decision-making. If developed and deployed responsibly, AI can play a transformative role in disrupting the cycle of gender-based violence. But if it is left unchecked, AI and related technologies are likely to be misused, perpetuating harm, reinforcing gender stereotypes, and entrenching the very biases we strive to eliminate. To address these risks, the Council of Europe is developing a 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 on equality and AI, offering specific guidance on integrating equality and non-discrimination principles into AI systems. The aim is to ensure that AI fosters and enhances gender equality rather than exacerbates discrimination or infringes women’s rights. Technology-facilitated violence against women and girls remains a formidable challenge. The harmful effects of such violence extend far beyond personal safety, impeding women's and girls' participation in political and public life. In response, the Council of Europe is preparing a 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 on technology-facilitated violence against women and girls, focused on strengthening accountability, enhancing victim support, and protecting against AI-powered threats, such as deepfakes and algorithmic abuse. Gender equality and promoting the rights of all women and girls lie at the heart of the Council of Europe’s work and are central to the new 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 — the world’s first legally binding international treaty in this field. Newsroom: https://lnkd.in/dzSSVeE9 Cyberviolence against women: https://lnkd.in/emWxQQeW

𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 for this year’s 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐮𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, which will take place between 𝟒-𝟔 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞, 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐠, 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞! The conference will provide an opportunity to interface for #cybercrime experts from public and private sectors as well as international and non-governmental organisations from all over the world. High-level interventions are envisaged. The conference will also include an area where projects, partners and other initiatives will have the possibility to showcase their work. Should you wish to do so, please reach out to the Conference secretariat. Main sessions will address #artificialintelligence, cybercrime and e-evidence, cyber-interference with #democracy, online fraud such as pig-butchering/romance scams, and implementing the #SecondAdditionalProtocol on enhanced cooperation and disclosure of e-evidence. Workshops will focus on crypto-investigations, sharing e-evidence across borders under the 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 (#BudapestConvention) and its Second Protocol, cybercrime as #warcrime and lessons from Ukraine, #cyberviolence (online child sexual exploitation and abuse, #OCSEA and the non-consensual dissemination of intimate images, #NCDII), #youth and cybercrime, regional workshops for countries in Africa, Americas, Asia and Pacific. 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝟑𝟎 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓. Direct link to the registration form to attend the Octopus Conference 2025: → https://lnkd.in/dpwZanfm Visit the dedicated webpage for the Octopus Conference 2025 for more details and keep an eye on it for updates on the agenda, speakers and resources: → https://lnkd.in/dB2C8RSC More information about previous editions of the Octopus Conference: → https://lnkd.in/dSppaRSh Newsroom: → https://lnkd.in/dWsCDTfi #OctopusConference #OctopusConf2025 #OctopusProject #GLACYe #CyberEastplus #CyberSouthplus #CyberSEE #CyberSPEX

Hearing from participants on their experience with the current and previous #GLACY projects, showing the vibrant partnership with countries, is key for further improving the activities organised together with our colleagues from the current #GLACYe joint project of the European Union and the Council of Europe. Ms Mariama Yormah, National Cybersecurity Coordinator of the National Cybersecurity Coordinating Center in #SierraLeone, shared briefly her view on the impact of our past and current GLACY projects in the country. Following stakeholders' meetings in 2023 (attended by different legislators, parliamentarians, prosecutors, the judiciary, the police), authorities of Sierra Leone sent a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to receive the necessary permissions to acceede to the 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 (#BudapestConvention) and make use of the benefits it offers. "It was just a breakthrough, beacause all of the key stakeholders were already aware about the importance of being part of the Budapest Convention [...]. As we all know, #cybercrime is not the fight of just one nation, one institution. It's the fight of everybody. So #internationalcooperation is key. They were therefore able to see the need for having international cooperation and being part of the Budapest Convention. Based on the support from the GLACY-e project, we were able to bring all the stakeholders together, for them to see the importance of it all. At the end of the day, we were able to ratifty not just the Cybercrime Convention, but also sign its #FirstAdditionalProtocol and #SecondAdditionalProtocol. I want to say, on behalf of my government, thank you very much to the Council of Europe and the team members within (all) the GLACY project(s)." Watch the full interview in the video below and keep an eye on the GLACY-e project webpage for more testimonials to come. More about the framework of the Convention on Cybercrime and its two Additional Protocols, including benefits for joining: → https://lnkd.in/g_bnYjY → www.coe.int/cyber1AP → www.coe.int/cyber2AP GLACY-e project webpage, with more testimonials and good cyber stories: https://lnkd.in/d-yEv4ax #GLACY #GLACYplus #GLACYe #CPROC

The Government of 𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧 has made another 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 to support the Council of Europe action against #cybercrime through our #OctopusProject. The agreement was signed by Ambassador Hiroyuki Uchida of Japan and Bjorn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe. The Octopus Project, funded by voluntary contributions from State Parties and Observers to the 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 (#BudapestConvention), supports countries worldwide in strengthening their criminal justice capacities in line with this treaty, its protocols and related standards. Japan is a Party to the Convention on Cybercrime since 2012, and has also signed and ratified its #SecondAdditionalProtocol, on #electronicevidence. The Council of Europe welcomes the contribution of Japan to the Octopus Project. Given increasing demands, more resources are urgently needed. Newsroom: https://lnkd.in/dV_J_QXS More about the Octopus Project: www.coe.int/octopusproject More about the Convention on Cybercrime, its two Additional Protocols, benefits and impact: https://lnkd.in/g_bnYjY

Exciting news for the cybercrime experts: we are launching the first edition of the 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫-𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞! This initiative aims to enhance global collaboration and strengthen efforts to combat cybercrime and is initiated through our #CyberSEE joint European Union - Council of Europe project. The Programme will bring together #cybercrime practitioners from 50 countries, including law enforcement agencies, 24/7 Points of Contact, representatives from Ministries of Justice and Prosecution, Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs), and judicial and law enforcement training institutions. Through bilateral exchanges, participants will share good practices, enhance technical capabilities, and foster #internationalcooperation on cybercrime and electronic evidence. By supporting the international sharing of practitioners’ skills and expertise, the programme contributes to the global efforts to fight against cybercrime as to ensure a more secure cyberspace. This initiative aligns with the Council of Europe’s commitment to promote the international legal standards – 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝘆𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲 (#BudapestConvention) and its Protocols – and good practices on cybercrime and electronic evidence by observing human rights and rule of law. Nominations are to be collected by 1 March 2025, while the deadline for submitting applications is 15 April 2025. Newsroom: https://lnkd.in/dZvkB9q9

Protecting you and your rights in cyberspace is at the core of the Council of Europe's work against #cybercrime and #cyberviolence. For the 10th consecutive year, the Council of Europe is supporting the #SaferInternetDay Campaign and is joining forces with numerous stakeholders to work together for a better and safer internet for all, and especially for children and young people. 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 is often misunderstood and not taken as seriously as it should be. Yet, it is important to remember that cyberviolence may start online but it often ends offline with devastating consequences for the victims and their families. It is important to act in order to prevent cyberviolence from happening, and to protect and bring 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 to the victims. The Council of Europe protects and promotes the #humanrights of everyone, including children, and is working across sectors through the mechanisms of related 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥, for all. Our 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞 is one of the online tools initiated through the #OctopusProject of the Council of Europe’s Cybercrime Division, that helps bring together the work of colleagues from across sectors within the Organisation 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞. The aim of this resource is to facilitate knowledge sharing among practitioners, by providing insights into the latest developments in international and domestic legislation, policies, case-law, thematic studies, and other relevant materials. The resource was developed following the publication of the Mapping Study on Cyberviolence of the Council of Europe’s Cybercrime Convention Committee (#TCY) in 2018. The resource is divided into 5 main themes: 𝐜𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧, 𝐜𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧, 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞, 𝐜𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬, and 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲-𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬, along dedicated sections on international and domestic 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, initiatives, policies and strategies, 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐰, and relevant resources. Originating as an EU initiative, the Safer Internet Day has expanded into a worldwide movement, now celebrated in over 180 countries and territories. Find out more: Cyberviolence Resource: www.coe.int/cyberviolence Cyberviolence Resource leaflet: https://lnkd.in/dziKtixc Safer Internet Day 2025: https://lnkd.in/dKi9S5DD #SaferInternetDay2025 | #SID2025 | #CoECyberviolence

During the #OpenDay event of the Council of Europe Directorate of Programme Co-ordination, Heads of Offices met in Strasbourg, France and shared with the public achievements of their teams during 2024. Our #CPROC team was represented by Alexander Seger, who presented highlights from our first 10 years of #capacitybuilding on #cybercrime and #electronicevidence, with an emphasis on the past year. You may consult below the 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐭 that was prepared for 2024 at a glance. The 𝐟𝐥𝐲𝐞𝐫 prepared for our 10th anniversary in April 2024 is also available (https://lnkd.in/dsiKHUtp) and, until our yearly 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 is published, the 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 conducted by our office since 2014 may also be of interest: https://lnkd.in/dwE4fHYd Keep an eye on www.coe.int/cybercrime and www.coe.int/cproc for updates to come.

Our #CPROC colleagues completed an update of the cursory overview of the 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞. The report aims to provide a cursory overview of global trends in #cybercrime legislation and #electronicevidence since 2013, serving as a starting point for more thorough assessments and targeted support to countries or regions. In brief, by December 2024: → approximately 95% of UN Member States had either carried out or were in the process of reforming their #cybercrimelegislation, with significant progress made in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania; → many countries continued to face challenges such as incomplete reforms, draft laws pending for years, and lack of capacities to apply new laws, indicating a need for continued capacity building support; → 68% of UN Member States had 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐚𝐰 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 largely in place to criminalize offences against and by means of computers, with significant progress made since 2013; → 52% of States had specific 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 largely in place to secure electronic evidence, but many still rely on general procedural law provisions, highlighting the need for further #capacitybuilding; → Nearly 50% of UN Member States were either Parties or Signatories to the 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 (#BudapestConvention), with 95 States being members or observers in the Cybercrime Convention Committee (#TCY); → numerous countries have also commenced reforms in order to implement the #SecondAdditionalProtocol to the Convention on Cybercrime, on enhanced #cooperation and disclosure of electronic evidence. Overall, the Convention on Cybercrime continues to 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 of legislation on cybercrime worldwide. Consult below the "Global state of cybercrime legislation 2013 – 2024: A cursory overview" report prepared by our colleagues. Newsroom: https://lnkd.in/ePrY-7dp More about the framework of the Convention on Cybercrime: https://lnkd.in/g_bnYjY More about the Second Addtional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime: https://lnkd.in/dXDvm6Bb More about our Office: www.coe.int/cproc