Is VPN illegal in UAE?


The UAE actually has laws related to the use of VPNs. 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.

Is it a crime to use VPN 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.

What happens if you get caught using VPN in UAE?

Using VPN for crimes and other illegal purposes will net a fine that may reach up to AED 2 million.

Is VPN illegal in UAE for calling?

Internet Calling Laws In UAE UAE prohibits the use of a VPN to mask your IP address in order to access forbidden websites, calling apps, and gaming apps in the gulf.

Can police track you if you use VPN?

Police can't track live, encrypted VPN traffic, but if they have a court order, they can go to your ISP (Internet Service Provider) and request connection or usage logs. Since your ISP knows you're using a VPN, they can direct the police to them.

Can I be tracked if I use VPN?

If you're using a trustworthy VPN service, your browsing activities become illegible to snoopers. However, this doesn't mean a VPN user is entirely untraceable online. Internet service providers (ISPs), websites, and even governments can determine whether you're using a VPN.

How much is the fine for using VPN in UAE?

The new law states that anyone who uses a VPN or proxy server can be imprisoned and fined between Dh500,000-Dh2,000,000 ($136,000-$545,000, £415,000, €495,000) if they are found to use VPNs fraudulently.

Can I use VPN for WhatsApp in UAE?

Using a VPN app help you protect your privacy while calling in the UAE. A VPN can also help you protect your WhatsApp calls from being hacked. VoIP services like Skype, WhatsApp, and Viber are all blocked in the UAE, so a VPN is necessary for using those services.

Which free VPN is legal in UAE?

Express VPN provides 24/7 assistance via email as well as live chat. It is one of the best VPNs for Android that allows you to pay with Bitcoin. ExpressVPN encrypts user web traffic and masks IP addresses. It also helps you to hide your physical location.

Is VPN illegal in Dubai for WhatsApp?

Key Takeaways: WhatsApp voice and video calls are not allowed in Dubai, although you can send texts. A VPN can help you bypass a WhatsApp ban because it can spoof your location. ExpressVPN is the best VPN to unblock WhatsApp in Dubai because of its vast server network and reliability.

Is WhatsApp illegal in UAE?

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.

Is using a VPN in Dubai illegal?

If you are using a VPN for anything other than committing a crime, you are not breaking the law. Unfortunately, even websites that belong to VPN providers are now being blocked by ISPs in the UAE.

Can you get caught using a VPN in Dubai?

Based on what UAE authorities announced a couple of years ago about using a VPN: “ If you use a VPN app to hide your IP address with the intention of committing a crime then in addition to a fine or imprisonment for the main crime you'll get a fine up to AED 2M.”

Is using VPN a crime?

Although using VPN is completely legal in India, there are some cases where the government or local police have punished people for using the service. It's better to check for yourself and not to visit legally banned sites while using VPN.

Can I use VPN for WhatsApp in UAE?

Using a VPN app help you protect your privacy while calling in the UAE. A VPN can also help you protect your WhatsApp calls from being hacked. VoIP services like Skype, WhatsApp, and Viber are all blocked in the UAE, so a VPN is necessary for using those services.

Which free VPN is legal in UAE?

Express VPN provides 24/7 assistance via email as well as live chat. It is one of the best VPNs for Android that allows you to pay with Bitcoin. ExpressVPN encrypts user web traffic and masks IP addresses. It also helps you to hide your physical location.

Is it a crime to use 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.

Can hackers see you on VPN?

So, in short, yes, a virtual private network (VPN) can protect you from hackers because it makes it impossible to track you. It redirects your internet traffic to a VPN server, where the data gets encrypted, and obfuscated.

What does a VPN not hide?

What doesn't a VPN hide? A VPN doesn't hide your activity from online registered accounts. Anyone can still see your social media shares, posts, and pictures. A VPN is also different from antivirus software; while it boosts your online security, it doesn't protect you from cyberattacks.

How do websites know I'm using a VPN?

It only knows which IP address you are coming from. That is important because marketing-savvy sites track where their users originate. While using a VPN, your origin IP address will be that of the VPN endpoint. If that IP address is a known VPN endpoint, then the web site knows you are using a VPN.

Does a VPN hide your IP address?

A virtual private network (VPN) can hide a user's internal protocol address (IP address) and block their location and browser history, allowing them to share and receive information on public internet networks more privately.

In the UAE, the usage of VPN applications is not illegal if it's used in line with the guidelines of the authorities. But its misuse can attract imprisonment and a fine between Dh500,000 to Dh2 million under Article 10 of the UAE Cyber Law.

What is the punishment for using VPN?

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. Moreover, using VPN by hiding the IP address to get access to websites, calling and gaming applications which are blocked by the UAE government is illegal.

How many people use VPN in UAE?

Why WhatsApp call Banned 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 video call allowed in Dubai?

ARE VIDEO CALLS ALLOWED IN THE UAE? Video calls are allowed in the UAE through VoIP apps that meet the requirements of the UAE's regulatory framework. This includes apps like HiU Messenger and BOTIM, for which you will need UAE internet calling plans from local telecom operators.