Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile

Today the Government of Chile deposited the instrument of accession to the Convention on Cybercrime elaborated by the Council of Europe, also known as the Budapest Convention, in Strasbourg, France.

The Budapest Convention is the first international treaty on crimes committed through the Internet and other computer networks. The treaty deals particularly with computer fraud, child pornography, hate crimes, and violations of network security. With the aim of improving crime investigation of this sort, the Convention contains a series of powers and procedures such as the search for computer networks and legal interception of them.

The Convention was open for signature in 2010, in Budapest, and entered to force in 2004. On November 16, 2016, the Senate approved the entrance of Chile to the Budapest Convention with 22 votes in favour. To date, the Convention has been ratified by 53 states.

The accession of this international instrument is a commitment both of the Government of Chile and the National Policy on Cybersecurity. This will allow Chile to be part of a faster and more efficient system of international cooperation, receiving assistance on the development of national capabilities to face threats in cyberspace in the best way possible.

In August 1st of this year, Chile will be the 54th member of the Treaty and the first of South America.