TRANSNATIONAL CYBERCRIMES AND THE LEGAL RESPOSIBILITIES OF INTERNET INTERMEDIARIES: CHALLENGES OF JURISDICTION, ATTRIBUTION AND ENFORCEMENT

The paper examines the role of internet intermediaries such as internet service providers, social media platforms, search engines, cloud service providers, and cryptocurrency exchanges in the rise of transnational cybercrime. While intermediaries enable global connectivity, they simultaneously serve as enablers of illicit activities, including online fraud, terrorism, child exploitation, ransomware, and money laundering. This paper critically analyzes the regulatory landscape across jurisdictions, focusing on international conventions such as the Budapest Convention, and national frameworks like the Indian IT Act, the U.S. CDA Section 230, and the EU’s Digital Services Act. The study further explores the tension between intermediary liability, freedom of speech, privacy, and global cybersecurity. The research concludes with recommendations for harmonized international regulation to balance innovation with accountability.