Many people who want to reside in Dubai or travel there for holidays ask “Is VPN illegal in UAE” to access geo-restricted content or use free texting and VoIP apps for instant communication.
VPN is legal in UAE if you use it according to the TDRA guidelines. In case you are caught using the VPN to commit any unlawful activities, the authorities can impose up to a 2,000,000 AED fine, along with some jail time or any one of the two penalties.
In this comprehensive article, we’ll explain in detail, “Is VPN illegal in UAE?” and whether the government will fine you for hiding your online identity.
Table of Contents
Is Using VPN In UAE Illegal?
According to the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) guidelines, a VPN is not illegal unless you use it for business or legal purposes.
Clause 1.9 and Annex 1 of the guidelines clearly define the Prohibited Content Categories and mention a list of services illegal in UAE. These include:
- VoIP calling services like WhatsApp, Skype, Viber, and FaceTime.
- Publishing content that expresses criticism towards Islam or the government of the UAE.
- Fraud, phishing, and impersonating others.
- Using dating websites or apps.
- Insulting or abusing others online.
- Supporting criminal acts.
- Watching, creating, or selling Pornographic websites.
- Access to LGBT Content.
- Access to gambling websites.
As per the guidelines, you may use VPN for VoIP calls on free apps but should not access TDRA-prohibited services.
Based on this, you might get penalties for using a VPN for prohibited activities, but the good news so far is that the UAE government has never arrested or fined anyone for accessing VoIP services through it.
The general consensus is that UAE’s main focus lies in arresting individuals involved in blackmailing, serious crimes, or those who sell VoIP access in bulk.
Can I Get Fined For Using VPN In UAE?
Although using VPN is not illegal in UAE, the authorities will fine you as per Article 10 of the UAE Cyber Law if you use the service for illegal activities.
According to the law, when you use VPN or proxy servers to mask your IP address for committing or hiding a crime, the court can impose a fine of not less than AED 500,000 and not more than AED 2,000,000, along with some jail time or either of the two penalties.
Can UAE Police Catch Me Using A VPN?
It is difficult for UAE police to catch you using a VPN in real time due to the strong encryption policies employed by most services.
To initiate legal action, the police must have evidence indicating that you are using a VPN for illegal activities, such as openly engaging in VoIP calls or being caught with explicit material.
In case the police have the evidence, they can obtain a court order to access records from your ISP. Your network service provider can help them reveal the content accessed through the regular internet connection and indicate possible VPN usage.
Even with this information, authorities still need to prove their case about when the VPN was active. However, if your VPN service collects the browsing or connection logs, the police can obtain them to pursue a law suite against you.
Which VPN Is Safe In UAE?
To bypass VoIP or other internet restrictions in UAE without getting caught, you need to use a safe and reputable VPN service with a no-log policy and a kill switch to prevent data exposure in case of accidental connection drops.
VPN Hypernet robust app offers these features for free and fully encrypts your data from any hacking or interception by third-party. Since this VPN has a no-log policy, UAE police can never track your online activities.
What’s more? VPN Hypernet provides ultra-fast internet browsing speed, complete digital privacy, and protection from any data monitoring. The standout feature is its one-tap connect functionality on your phone or computer that helps you quickly establish a secure connection within seconds.
VPN Hypernet is also known for its exceptional performance and minimized latency, which ensures you enjoy smooth steaming or gaming experience while accessing banned content or restricted services in UAE.
Additional Features
Here are some additional features that make VPN Hypernet worth a try.
- Access to over 50 global server locations for bypassing geo-restrictions in UAE.
- Dedicated UP and double VPN servers guarantee improved security, especially online banking transactions.
- With split tunneling, you can now decide which app uses the VPN.
- Safe Torrenting using P2P support.
- Enjoy a three-day free trial without paying for premium services.
- The responsive customer support staff is available 24/7 for all queries.
- Connection to multiple devices for premium iOS users through their Apple ID.
Pricing Plans
The flexible pricing plan of VPN Hypernet caters to the needs of most users. These plans include:
- Monthly VIP for only $8.99/Month (3 Days Free Trial).
- Weekly VIP Package starting at $4.49/Week.
- Yearly VIP for only $40.99/Year
- Quarterly VIP Package for just $21.49/Quarter.
Conclusion
This article explained “Is VPN illegal in UAE?” and whether police can track your activities if you decide to use one to access blocked content or services available globally. We’ve also discussed which VPN would be your best bet to stay anonymous and hide your location.
We hope this article has provided clear insights into the legality of VPNs in the UAE and their implications for privacy and online security.
FAQs
What Apps Are Illegal In UAE?
UAE authorities have banned several websites and services to protect its cultural and religious values and economy. These include apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Snapchat, Netflix, FaceTime, Skype, and Viber.
Why Can’t I Use VPN In Dubai?
It’s possible you are trying to use a VPN in UAE that Etisalat and Du are blocking. This happens when a VPN service fails to bypass the Deep Packet Inspection technique by these telecommunication companies. In this case, your best bet is to find and use a VPN that works in UAE.
Are Proxies Safer Than VPN?
Proxies have a few built-in security features and can expose your data and identity in case of sudden connection drops. On the other hand, VPN encrypts your online data, making it impossible for anyone to intercept it, and completely secures your network traffic.