Cybercrime and the digital economy in the GCC countries

Cybercrime and the digital economy in the GCC countries

Chatham House has published a new research paper, authored by Academic Fellow Joyce Hakmeh, on “Cybercrime and the Digital Economy in the GCC Countries”. The report “offers an overall picture of the state of the digital economy in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and of progress to date in the region’s attempted digital transformation”.

 

The paper describes cybercrime as “an escalating threat to the economies of the GCC” and highlights the regional challenges it creates, their impact and effectiveness of the measures used to counter them. Furthermore, it points to the importance of ensuring that cybercrime laws comply with international norms and standards. Currently, cybercrime laws in the GCC countries include vague wording that is easily abused to criminalise critical opinions.

 

The paper also looks at the variations between the six countries in terms of digital development, the prevalence of cybercrime, and the nature and extent of countermeasures available.

 

To read the full research paper:

 https://www.chathamhouse.org/publication/cybercrime-and-digital-economy-gcc-countries

 

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