In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) is not illegal in itself, as long as it complies with the regulations set by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA).
On July 31, 2016, the TDRA reassured businesses and the public of its dedication to safeguarding the security and efficiency of economic activities for companies and institutions operating within the UAE.
The authority clarified that there are no laws preventing companies, institutions, or banks from using VPN technology to access their internal networks over the internet. However, legal issues arise when VPNs are misused.
Specifically, actions such as circumventing information networks to commit crimes or using methods like hiding one’s IP address to engage in illegal activities or evade detection are serious offenses under UAE law.
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According to Article 10 of Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combating Rumors and Cybercrimes, individuals found guilty of such activities may face imprisonment and/or fines ranging from AED 500,000 to AED 2,000,000. The law states that anyone who fraudulently uses a computer network protocol address belonging to a third party or employs other means to commit a crime or prevent its discovery will be penalized accordingly.
Additionally, Clause 1.9 of the TDRA’s 2017 Regulatory Policy on Internet Access Management outlines “Prohibited Content Categories,” which are detailed in Annex 1 of the TDRA Internet Access Regulations. Annex 1 provides various lists of internet content that is prohibited in the UAE.
Clause 1: Bypassing and Accessing Blocked Content
This category covers internet content that enables or assists users in accessing prohibited material, including proxy servers and VPN services designed primarily to bypass internet restrictions.
Clause 14: Illegal Communication Services
This category includes internet content that promotes or provides access to illegal communication services, as determined by relevant authorities.
Therefore, while VPNs are not completely banned in the UAE, they should not be used to access or circumvent blocked or prohibited content. VPN services that facilitate such access are considered prohibited content and are subject to regulation. There is no official list of approved VPNs. For more detailed information, it is advisable to consult a legal professional in the UAE or contact the TDRA directly.
