The new version is intended to clarify certain passages that
were publicly criticised by groups such as the Global Internet
Project (GIP), an international group of senior internet executives
from leading telecommunications, hardware, software, financial
services and content companies.
The Council said in a brief statement that the text of the new
draft reflects the comments of the various parties that have been
consulted, including states, industry and non-governmental
organisations concerned with human rights, copyright etc. It hopes
the Convention will be adopted next December.
The treaty is an attempt to harmonise the laws against hacking,
fraud, viruses, internet pornography and other cybercrime and the
procedures for investigating and prosecuting such crimes. The 41
member states of the Council were assisted by representatives of
non-member states, including the US, South Africa and Japan.
