Using VPN for crimes and other illegal purposes will net a fine that may reach up to AED 2 million.
The UAE Decree Law No 34 of 2021 pertaining to combating rumors and cybercrimes states that using VP to hide the IP address to gain access to illegal websites such as pornography, gambling, as well as other blocked applications for calling, gaming, and more is not allowed.
Article 10 of this measure states that individuals risk a fine from AED 500,000 to AED 2 million.
The use of VPN per se is not illegal in UAE only if used according to the guidelines of the UAE government and the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA).
Increased usage
In the first three months of 2022, Virtual private networks (VPNs) are increasingly being used in the UAE and the Gulf area to gain access to banned content such as dating, gambling, and pornographic websites, as well as to download audio-video calling apps.
According to the most recent Nord Security statistics, demand for VPNs in Gulf countries increased by almost 30% in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year.
“The demand for VPNs in the Gulf region is increasing every year. The more content restrictions appear, the greater the demand for the VPN service. Many people use VPN to access blocked content,” read a statement from Nord Security
While demand for VPNs in the UAE increased by 36%, indicating that an increasing number of internet users are accessing restricted content.
