Are VPNs legal in Dubai?


Indeed, UAE law says that a VPN is only illegal if it's used to commit a crime. The Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRA) is responsible for internet censorship in the UAE.The use of virtual private networks (VPNs) is one of the highest in the world with 3.82 million residents downloading VPNs in the first-half of 2020. Though the use of VPN is not illegal in the UAE, its misuse is a serious offence and punishable with a fine of up to Dh2 million and imprisonment.

Can you get caught using VPN in UAE?

Any person that circumvents the protocol address of the internet by using a delusive address or an address belonging to others or by any other means for the purpose of committing a crime or preventing its discovery shall be punished by imprisonment and a fine not less than (AED 150.000) and not exceeding (AED 500.000) …

Why is VPN banned in Dubai?

In July the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan announced a new law ostensibly to crack down on cyber-crime: “Whoever uses a fraudulent computer network protocol address (IP address) by using a false address or a third-party address by any other means for the purpose of committing a crime or …

What is the punishment for VPN in UAE?

Can you get fined for using VPN in Dubai?

How much is the fine for using a VPN? As said, if you use a VPN for committing a criminal activity or concealing your IP address to do a crime or prevent authorities from being discovered shall result in a punishment of temporary imprisonment and a fine of not less than AED 500,000 and not more than AED 2,000,000.

Can the government spy on me if I have a VPN?

It depends on the VPN. If the VPN has a no-logs policy, even if the government approached the VPN provider, the provider wouldn't be able to hand over your activity logs because they don't have any to begin with. Some VPN services agree to install backdoors for the government, allowing agencies to monitor user traffic.

Is it legal to use VPN for WhatsApp call in UAE?

It is legal to use a VPN while calling in the UAE. Using a VPN can be used to unblock WhatsApp calling in the UAE.

Is WhatsApp call allowed in UAE?

WhatsApp is blocked in UAE due to federal regulation. The UAE government advises everyone to use its government-led VoIP services like Du and Etisalat instead of WhatsApp so they can monitor everything you say.

Is WhatsApp banned in Dubai?

Why is WhatsApp not allowed in Dubai?

As mentioned earlier, the UAE government has banned WhatsApp calling and other Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls because of privacy and national security reasons.

Does Dubai restrict WhatsApp?

If you are in Dubai, you will sadly not be able to make any WhatsApp calls to people using the app, since those functions have been limited by the government of Dubai. You can, however, access Whatsapp's texting feature, and share video messages or audio texts with your contacts.

How many people caught using VPN in UAE?

What happens if you get caught using VPN?

Whether or not you can get in trouble for using a VPN depends on what country you're in. If you're in the U.S., VPNs are legal, so no, you can't get into trouble for using them. However, if you're in a country that bans VPNs, like China, then yes, you can get into trouble for using them.

What are are VPN crimes in UAE?

Also, using a VPN by hiding the IP address to get access to websites/calling applications /gaming applications which are blocked by the UAE government is illegal. Under Article 10 of the UAE Cyber Law, Mehta said people misusing VPNs could face imprisonment and a fine between Dh500,000 to Dh2 million.

Does UAE monitor internet?

The UAE has an advanced surveillance system, which includes all online modes as well as real-life monitoring of public spaces (see C5). With the cybercrime law and latest regulations for social media, the state can potentially retaliate against any form of expression, leading users to self-censor online (see C2).

Can you get caught using VPN in UAE?

Any person that circumvents the protocol address of the internet by using a delusive address or an address belonging to others or by any other means for the purpose of committing a crime or preventing its discovery shall be punished by imprisonment and a fine not less than (AED 150.000) and not exceeding (AED 500.000) …

Is kissing in public a crime in UAE?

“Holding hands for a married couple is tolerated but kissing and petting are considered an offence to public decency,” it adds. “Public displays of affection, as well as sexual harassment or randomly addressing women in public places, is liable to be punished by imprisonment or deportation.”

Can you go to jail for swearing in UAE?

Swearing and making rude gestures (including online) are considered obscene acts and offenders can be jailed or deported.

How many people caught using VPN in UAE?

Is NordVPN banned in UAE?

The usage of VPN in the UAE is not illegal if it's used as per the guidelines of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority. But the misuse can result in a heavy penalty as well as imprisonment for violating the local cyber law.

Can the WiFi owner see what I search with VPN?

VPNs establish a protected connection, meaning no one can see what you are doing. So, for example, a WiFi router or Internet service provider only sees jumbled data when you're browsing on a VPN.

Can the NSA spy on VPN?

National Security Agency's XKeyscore system can collect just about everything that happens online, even things encrypted by VPNs, according to Edward Snowden.

Which VPN works in UAE?

Topping our list is ExpressVPN. Widely regarded as the best UAE VPN for Dubai and the rest of the country, its stealthy servers, great speeds and excellent support mean it's a reliable way of accessing restricted content.

Why can't you video call in Dubai?

Most Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services – including Skype, FaceTime and WhatsApp – which enable free voice and video calls via the internet, are illegal in the UAE.

Is Zoom allowed in Dubai?

The UAE's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has steadfastly upheld the ban on VoIP services such as WhatsApp, Facetime, Skype, Viber, and Zoom despite several public appeals to unblock them.

Is Facebook allowed in Dubai?

Voice of Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications such as Skype, FaceTime, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger are blocked in the UAE. The use of such applications without a legal right is an offence and is punishable by imprisonment and/or a fine.