Is VPN Illegal in UAE? Answered

There’s been a bit of confusion on the laws regarding the use of VPNs, or virtual private networks, in the UAE, and I’m hoping to clear things up and answer the question, Is using a VPN illegal in UAE?

The use of VPNs is not against the law, but how they’re used matters. If you’re using a VPN for online privacy and cyber security while you’re on public networks, you’re not violating any laws. If, however, you are engaging in an online activity that’s prohibited in the UAE, you can face some significant penalties.

Since the stakes are so high, I recommend using a premium VPN service for every online activity.

In a hurry? Here are the 3 best VPNs for the UAE

My top 3 choices for the best UAE VPN are the following:

Key takeaways

1. A virtual private network, or VPN, creates a secure, private network for accessing the Internet.
2. Using a VPN in the UAE is not against the law.
3. If you use a VPN to break UAE law, you can face strong penalties.
4. I recommend using ExpressVPN in the UAE.

The UAE’s stance on VPNs: What are the legal and regulatory implications for users?

The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) is responsible for all laws regulating telecommunications, internet access, and digital laws and initiatives in the UAE, including the UAE laws for combatting information technology crimes.

In the UAE, illegal activities include degrading public morality and national security and cyber security violations.

While using a VPN in the UAE is not outright illegal, you need to follow the strict regulations of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) carefully.

Using a delusive address to access online services that are illegal in the UAE, including WhatsApp calling, is against the law. Using an address belonging to a third party for online activities such as gambling or pornography is strictly prohibited by the UAE government.

Any time you are using a VPN service in the UAE, it is essential to follow the local laws. You may face heavy fines or jail time for engaging in illegal Internet activities.

Is using a VPN illegal in UAE?

Using a VPN in the UAE is not illegal as long as you don’t engage in illegal activities. In other words, if you are using a VPN for legitimate purposes, such as enhanced privacy and security, you’re fine. However, if you are using a VPN for a third-party address to access blocked content or commit a cybercrime, there can be serious legal consequences.

Fines and penalties for using a VPN for illegal activities in UAE

Using a VPN for unlawful activities can incur heavy fines or temporary imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offense.

You may incur fines ranging between 250,000-500,000 AED for accessing prohibited online content such as gambling sites, pornography, or other restricted content.

If the illegal activity involves minors, there are more severe penalties, including at least one year of imprisonment and fines between 500,000 and 1,000,000 AED.

Is it safe to use a VPN in UAE?

It is safe to use a VPN in UAE for legitimate purposes, and you are not engaging in illegal activities. Use of VPNs for illegal purposes could result in strong legal action.

A VPN can actually increase your online safety by hiding your real IP address and sending your data through an encrypted tunnel.

3 best VPNs for UAE

Find out everything you need to know about the 3 best VPNs for UAE right here!

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is my top pick for a VPN in the UAE. It’s incredibly easy to use, delivers consistently fast performance, and keeps data secure with industry-leading privacy protections.

Features: ExpressVPN goes beyond the basics with its obfuscation, ad blocking, tracker blocking, malware protection, split tunneling, and more. With 3,200+ VPN servers in 105 countries, including the UAE, I can always find a reliable connection in the location of my choice.

Speed: One of the best things about ExpressVPN is how fast my Internet connections are. I maintained an impressive 97% of my baseline download speed when using the quick connect feature.

Privacy & Security: ExpressVPN is built for privacy with its military-grade encryption, verified no-logs policy, Kill Switch, and IP/DNS leak protection to keep my data safe.

Performance: ExpressVPN stands out for its flawless VoIP calls, browsing, streaming, gaming, and torrenting.

Streaming: ExpressVPN makes it easy to access geo-blocked content on platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more, perfect for keeping up with my favorite shows while traveling.

Compatibility: The user-friendly ExpressVPN apps work seamlessly across iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, and Linux devices. Plus, I can connect up to 8 devices simultaneously, so my whole network is covered under one account.

Pricing: ExpressVPN’s 1-year plan costs $6.67/month, and you get three extra months free. With 24/7 customer support and a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can test it out risk-free. 

2. NordVPN

NordVPN delivers top-tier privacy protection, impressive speeds, and a massive server network to keep you safely connected no matter where you are.

Features: NordVPN is packed with features that enhance both security and performance. I especially appreciate its obfuscation, ad-blocking, malware protection, double VPN, and data breach monitoring. With 7,100+ VPN servers in 118 countries, including UAE servers, I can always find a stable connection in the country of my choice.

Speed: Speed is a big deal to me, and NordVPN doesn’t disappoint. Using the quick-connect feature, I maintained 98% of my baseline download speed.

Privacy & Security: NordVPN takes security seriously with its military-grade encryption, verified no-logs policy, Kill Switch, and IP/DNS leak protection, ensuring my data stays private, even on public Wi-Fi.

Performance: Whether I’m making VoIP calls, streaming, gaming, or torrenting, NordVPN performs smoothly and without interruptions.

Streaming: NordVPN consistently unblocks Netflix, Disney+, Max, Hulu, and many other streaming services, giving me unrestricted access to global content.

Compatibility: NordVPN works seamlessly on Android, Windows, iOS, macOS, and Linux. A single account supports up to 10 simultaneous connections, so I can protect all my devices.

Pricing: NordVPN’s pricing starts at just $3.39/month, and includes four extra months free. With 24/7 live chat support and a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can test it out risk-free.

3. Surfshark

If you’re looking for an affordable VPN that doesn’t cut corners on quality or features, Surfshark is a great pick. The best part? It comes with unlimited simultaneous connections, making it an attractive choice for large households.

Features: Surfshark provides enhanced security and versatility with features like obfuscation, ad-blocking, malware protection, dark web monitoring, and split tunneling. With 3,200+ servers in 100 countries, including UAE servers, it’s easy to stay connected no matter where you are.

Speed: When I tested Surfshark’s speed using the quick-connect feature, I maintained 81% of my baseline download speed.

Privacy & Security: Despite its low cost, Surfshark still offers top-notch security and privacy protection, including military-grade encryption, a strict no-logs policy, IP/DNS leak protection, and a Kill Switch.

Performance: If the network is busy, you might notice occasional slowdowns, but switching to a less crowded server usually solves the issue quickly so you can enjoy smooth VoIP calling, streaming, gaming, browsing, and torrenting.

Streaming: Surfshark reliably unblocks Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Max, and other major streaming platforms for full access to geo-restricted content everywhere.

Compatibility: Surfshark’s apps are easy to use and work on Android, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Linux. It supports unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can protect all your devices with a single subscription.

Pricing: Surfshark is one of the most affordable premium VPNs, starting at just $1.99/month. Plus, it comes with 24/7 customer support, a 30-day money-back guarantee, and four extra months free.

Can I use a free VPN for UAE?

Using a free VPN for UAE is risky. Most free VPNs don’t come with the same high-quality security and privacy features that you get with a reputable subscription provider. Some will even sell your browser history to third parties, making you more vulnerable to hackers and phishing attempts.

I’ve also found that free VPNs are less reliable when it comes to unblocking restricted websites and apps and tend to be slower due to limits on bandwidth, data, and servers, leading to poor performance for browsing, VoIP calling, streaming, and other online services.

FAQ

Is VPN allowed in the UAE?

Yes. It is legal to use a VPN in the UAE as long as you are not using it for illegal activities.

Can I be fined for using a VPN in UAE?

Yes. If you use your VPN to engage in activities considered illegal according to UAE law, you could get fined.

Is it legal to use a VPN for WhatsApp calls in the UAE?

WhatsApp use is technically prohibited by UAE law, but you can still effectively use a VPN to make WhatsApp calls in the UAE.

Conclusion

Using a virtual private network (VPN) in UAE isn’t against the law, but you’ve got to be careful to keep your online activity legal, or you could face some big penalties.

That’s why before you make a single WhatsApp call, I recommend you directly connect to a premium VPN that guards your online privacy without compromising on performance. My favorite VPN provider for the UAE is ExpressVPN.