Cybercrime

Abstract

This chapter explores the legal framework regarding cybercrime, with a focus on Europe. In the case of cybercrime, competent authorities face a moving target, as technological developments, both on the side of perpetrators and on the side of policing and forensics, often outwit prevalent and tested strategies against traditional crime. This chapter first raises the question of what makes cybercrime ‘cyber’, and then introduces the international and supranational legal frameworks that are meant to cope with cybercrime, with a focus on the Cybercrime Convention. Finally, the chapter offers a reflection on the image of the weighing scale where it comes to balancing safety and security against rights and freedoms.