Internet users in the UAE, listen up!
The UAE has released a new set of federal laws revolved around internet crimes, one of which makes the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) a violation.
UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued a number of federal laws, one of which aims to combat cyber crimes.
Previously, only using VPNs as part of an internet crime was considered a violation. However, that's changed now. Anyone caught using VPNs to do anything, including access blocked services, will be subject to consequences.
The new law against cyber crimes is an amendment of the Federal Law No. 5/2012 which now considers anyone caught using a VPN a criminal
"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," the new law says, according to Emirates 24|7 .
Violators of the new law may be subject to imprisonment as well as a $136,000 to $545,000 fine.
Residents in the UAE and GCC in general, have been subject to blocked internet services, including VoIP services, which restricts free voice calls over the internet, including Whatsapp calls and Viber.
Back in 2015, the UAE’s telecom operator Etisalat blocked Whatsapp call.