VPN in the UAE

[Bangkok Barry]

There doesn't appear to be any way to reply to news postings in the Tech section, so I've begun a new topic on the subject of using a VPN being made illegal in the UAE. I'm aware that a number of TV members are based there or work there, so it is relevant.

The article is http://tech.thaivisa.com/dont-use-a-vpn-in-the-uae-you-could-be-jailed/16573/ and it is confusing and another example of poor journalism by a TV staffer, I'm afraid. The headline is written only to draw attention and is a gross distortion of the facts. In the report it says ' 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'. Yet later it says 'the updated law enables law enforcement officials in the UAE to go after anybody who uses a VPN to access websites or online services that would otherwise be blocked'.

Perhaps the author might like to clarify whether the ban applies to those who use it for crime, or anybody who uses a VPN.

[Chicog]

Clarification:

 

Quote

Previously, the law was restricted to prosecuting people who used VPNs as part of an internet crime, but California-based VPN and privacy advocate Private Internet Access says that the law has now changed to enable police in the UAE to go after anyone who uses VPNs to access blocked services, which is considered to be fraudulent use of an IP address.

The main reason for doing this is to stop people using Skype or Viber to talk to their friends and family back home, and therefore it penalises all the low paid labourers that sweat 80 hours a week for a pittance building the shiny edifices they all jerk off over.

 

[Bangkok Barry]

http://m.arabianbusiness.com/no-vpn-ban-in-uae-says-telecoms-authority-640828.html

All about nothing at all.

[Pib]

2 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

http://m.arabianbusiness.com/no-vpn-ban-in-uae-says-telecoms-authority-640828.html

All about nothing at all.

Above link seems to say it's OK for "businesses/banks/companies" to use VPN, but don't say it's OK for individuals....like an individual accessing his bank account, just accessing region-restricted websites, etc.

Such as, "... highlighting that there are no regulations which prevent the use of VPN technology by companies, institutions and banks to access their internal networks through internet," the TRA said in a media statement".

[Chicog]

2 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

http://m.arabianbusiness.com/no-vpn-ban-in-uae-says-telecoms-authority-640828.html

All about nothing at all.

It is if "accessing blocked services" is considered a crime.

And the UAE block most VOIP services, which is the main reason people use VPN's, hence my comment.

This is all about driving money to the two Telcos.

E.g. as a business, the terms of our agreement with our ISP are that we are forbidden to use our corporate Internet connection for VOIP, even though it isn't blocked. If we want to use VOIP services, we have to buy them.