DUBAI—In a vital clarification for the millions of residents and visitors who use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in the UAE, the country’s stringent cybercrime law makes it clear: The tool is legal, but criminal intent in its use is punishable by massive fines and imprisonment.

The law is clear that the technology itself is not banned. Its use for legitimate activities, particularly in the business and corporate sector—such as accessing internal company networks remotely or securing data—is fully permissible.

The Shocking Price of Misuse: Up to AED 2 Million

The core legislation governing this is the Federal Decree-Law No. (34) of 2021 on Combatting Rumours and Cybercrimes. This law does not criminalize every use of a VPN but specifically targets those who use them to circumvent the law.

The penalty for misuse, outlined in Article 10, is extremely severe:

  • Temporary Imprisonment
  • A Fine of not less than AED 500,000 and not exceeding AED 2,000,000 (approximately $545,000 USD).

This penalty applies to anyone who “circumvents an IP address… with the intention of committing or preventing the detection of a crime.”

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The Line You Must Not Cross

The legal risk arises when a VPN is used to mask an activity that is already illegal under UAE law. Authorities, including the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), have repeatedly stressed this critical distinction.

Illegal Misuse Includes:

  1. Accessing Blocked Content: Using a VPN to bypass the country’s content filters to view sites related to gambling, pornography, or other material deemed incompatible with public morals and UAE laws.
  2. Using Unlicensed VoIP Services: Circumventing local regulations to make voice or video calls via unapproved Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications like certain features of WhatsApp, Skype, or FaceTime.
  3. Engaging in Cybercrime: Using a disguised IP address to commit fraud, theft, hacking, or any other cyber-enabled criminal activity.

While many of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, including the UAE, have a high rate of VPN adoption—often driven by the desire for secure and unrestricted international communication—legal experts advise that users must remain compliant with the country’s zero-tolerance policy on digital misconduct.

The takeaway for residents and tourists is simple: Use a VPN for your privacy and corporate security, but do not use it to break local laws, bypass government restrictions, or conceal a crime.

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