Jail time and huge fines for using a VPN in the UAE

[esseeeayeenn]

[h=1]UAE tightens ban on VPNs with jail time, fines of up to A$725,000[/h]Another reason to consider avoiding transit in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

 

[JessicaTam]

Ouch. Do any other countries have similar penalties?

 

[straitman]

Ouch. Do any other countries have similar penalties?

A good question that suddenly seems important to answer.

 

[TheRealTMA]

The law may not be quite as suggested in the article. While one would need to be careful and perhaps check further, sources suggest that the actual law is "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 preventing its discovery, shall be punished by temporary imprisonment and a fine of no less than Dh500,000 and not exceeding Dh2,000,000, or either of these two penalties."

 

[esseeeayeenn]

The law may not be quite as suggested in the article. While one would need to be careful and perhaps check further, sources suggest that the actual law is "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 preventing its discovery, shall be punished by temporary imprisonment and a fine of no less than Dh500,000 and not exceeding Dh2,000,000, or either of these two penalties."

Yes but as has been previously observed in other threads, the UAE does not consistently observe the rule of law.
Further, using or accessing a banned internet service - such as whatsapp - may well be a crime.
It's too late for me to be bothered checking now!

 

[dajop]

The law may not be quite as suggested in the article. While one would need to be careful and perhaps check further, sources suggest that the actual law is "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 preventing its discovery, shall be punished by temporary imprisonment and a fine of no less than Dh500,000 and not exceeding Dh2,000,000, or either of these two penalties."

When you think about some of things that constitute a crime in UAE, then using VPN to access certain websites/apps (most definitely grindr and I am sure tinder too) could be used for the purpose of committing a crime....

 

[Buzzard]

I'd hate to be thrown in the slammer whilst the lawyers argue whether a crime has been committed.

 

[TheRealTMA]

I'd hate to be thrown in the slammer whilst the lawyers argue whether a crime has been committed.

The point is really whether the above reports are actual or media beatup. Skype is still legal to use AFAIK.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Some more information from a posting on another forum in relation to the original "news" article and comments...

"
Sean M. July 28, 2016 at 7:46 am

Your commentary is entirely misleading. VPNs are very much legal in the UAE and our company based here uses one that is provided by state-owned Etisalat. The new law only applies if the VPN is used with the intention of committing fraud to access sites that fall under any of the following 13 categories.

1) Sites that promote content to bypass blocked content
2) Sites that contain content for learning criminal skills
3) Sites that deal with online dating or matchmaking or that contradict the ethics and morals of the UAE with the exception of chat services, social networks and discussion forums.
4) Sites that contain content regarding illegal drugs
5) Sites that contain coughography and nudity
6) Sites that contain gambling content
7) Sites that contain content regarding hacking and malicious codes with the exception of sites dealing with ethical hacking and information security.
8) Sites that express hate to any religion
9) Phishing content
10) Sites that are known to download Spyware
11) Sites that provide unlicensed VOIP services
12) Sites that provide information related to encouraging terrorism
13) Prohibited sites that are contrary to the public interest"

 

[cove]

I love flying over that part of the world without stopping. Hopefully we get more planes that can go the distance.

 

[Geegeela]

Some more information from a posting on another forum in relation to the original "news" article and comments...

"
Sean M. July 28, 2016 at 7:46 am

Your commentary is entirely misleading. VPNs are very much legal in the UAE and our company based here uses one that is provided by state-owned Etisalat. The new law only applies if the VPN is used with the intention of committing fraud to access sites that fall under any of the following 13 categories.

1) Sites that promote content to bypass blocked content
2) Sites that contain content for learning criminal skills
3) Sites that deal with online dating or matchmaking or that contradict the ethics and morals of the UAE with the exception of chat services, social networks and discussion forums.
4) Sites that contain content regarding illegal drugs
5) Sites that contain coughography and nudity
6) Sites that contain gambling content
7) Sites that contain content regarding hacking and malicious codes with the exception of sites dealing with ethical hacking and information security.
8) Sites that express hate to any religion
9) Phishing content
10) Sites that are known to download Spyware
11) Sites that provide unlicensed VOIP services
12) Sites that provide information related to encouraging terrorism
13) Prohibited sites that are contrary to the public interest"

Well, for me, under interpretation, that’s broad enough to cover about 90% of the internet.

 

[OATEK]

Some more information from a posting on another forum in relation to the original "news" article and comments...

"
Sean M. July 28, 2016 at 7:46 am

Your commentary is entirely misleading. VPNs are very much legal in the UAE and our company based here uses one that is provided by state-owned Etisalat. The new law only applies if the VPN is used with the intention of committing fraud to access sites that fall under any of the following 13 categories.

1) Sites that promote content to bypass blocked content
2) Sites that contain content for learning criminal skills
3) Sites that deal with online dating or matchmaking or that contradict the ethics and morals of the UAE with the exception of chat services, social networks and discussion forums.
4) Sites that contain content regarding illegal drugs
5) Sites that contain coughography and nudity
6) Sites that contain gambling content
7) Sites that contain content regarding hacking and malicious codes with the exception of sites dealing with ethical hacking and information security.
8) Sites that express hate to any religion
9) Phishing content
10) Sites that are known to download Spyware
11) Sites that provide unlicensed VOIP services
12) Sites that provide information related to encouraging terrorism
13) Prohibited sites that are contrary to the public interest"

Well, for me, under interpretation, that’s broad enough to cover about 90% of the internet.

Agreed - wide open to interpretation, and too long a list to memorise.

 

[JohnK]

I don't use a VPN but don't want to visit/transit any country that imposes those conditions.

That last point is interesting. Whose public interest? UAE?

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I don't use a VPN but don't want to visit/transit any country that imposes those conditions.

That last point is interesting. Whose public interest? UAE?

Exactly and it means whatever they want it to mean.
Also note that (11) "unlicensed VOIP services" includes Whatsapp, Viber, Facebook audio calls, etc.
Further, if you use a VPN in the UAE you can't make a normal phone call at the same time.

 

[Geegeela]

Much the same sort of thing.

UK and Australian citizen Scott Richards held in Dubai - BBC News