In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) is generally permissible under certain regulations set by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA).
Question: Could you provide an overview of the regulations regarding the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in the UAE? Are VPNs legally permitted in the country? If so, is there an official list of approved VPN services?
Answer: In the UAE, the use of VPNs is generally permissible if aligned with guidelines set by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA). On July 31, 2016, the TDRA assured that businesses, institutions, and banks could use VPN technology to access their internal networks over the internet without regulatory hindrance. However, misuse of VPNs can lead to legal consequences.
Circumventing networks to commit crimes or disguise one's IP address for illegal activities is a serious offense under UAE law. According to Article 10 of Law No. 34 of 2021 Concerning Combatting Rumours and Cybercrimes, individuals who fraudulently use a third party’s IP address or any means to commit or conceal a crime can face imprisonment and fines ranging from AED 500,000 to AED 2,000,000.
The TDRA's 2017 Regulatory Policy on Internet Access Management defines "Prohibited Content Categories" in Clause 1.9 and Annex 1 of the TDRA Internet Access Regulations. This includes VPNs and proxy servers used to access blocked or prohibited content. Clause 1 states that accessing or helping users to access prohibited content through such services is included in this category. Similarly, Clause 14 addresses illegal communication services, encompassing VPNs that promote or enable access to such services.
In summary, while VPNs are not outright banned in the UAE, they must not be used to access or bypass blocked content. VPN services that facilitate this kind of access are regulated under prohibited content categories. For further guidance, consulting a legal expert or contacting the TDRA is recommended for clarification.
News Source: Khaleej Times
