Internet related legal wording

Fraud Art.146 PC


Fraudulent use of a computer Art.147 PC


Data damage Art.144bis PC


Promotion of prostitution Art.195 PC



International legislation

The diversity in legislation in international terms is one of the major difficulties in the fight against cybercrime. The ever-expanding web opens up the door to many new delinquencies in what concerns traditional as well as technological crime. International cooperation is even more important in the combat against cybercrime than it is in the combat against any other crime. This in turn requires some legal adaptation.

The Council of Europe Cybercrime Convention

The Council of Europe Cybercrime Convention dating from September 2001 looks promising. Also Switzerland signed the convention. Even though only a few states have ratified the convention so far, 29 member states of the Council of Europe, as well as the US, Canada, Japan and South Korea have signed it. The signatory states commit to adapt their criminal legislation and criminal procedure legislation, as well as their regulation concerning international collaboration. The first part of the convention aims at harmonizing the material sanctions in the field of computer- and data network criminality. Furthermore, states intend to render punishable any kind of child pornography in the Internet including its diffusion. A side agreement concerning the diffusion of racist propaganda shall be elaborated. A common tool regarding criminal procedure law shall be set into force in the second part. The third part of the convention relates to a faster and more efficient collaboration between states in the field of legal aid and extradition.

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