Cybercrime in Association of Southeast Asian Nations: Regional Effort and Its Effectiveness

Abstract The world has already observed how digitalization is reshaping countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). ASEAN has experienced a positive gross domestic product (GDP) trend of over US3. 6 trillion by 2022, becoming the fifth largest economy in the world. However, ASEAN countries have become a prime target for cybercrimes, such as online scam hubs where people are forced to work in scam centers, data breaches, and cyberattack launchpads. This study analyzes the effectiveness of ASEAN’s regional approach in dealing with cybercrime issues while considering ASEAN’s substantial challenges in enhancing its cooperation against cybercrime. The conclusions will provide policy recommendations for strengthening ASEAN’s cybercrime framework.