​VPN users in the UAE are warned of heavy fines by 2024

In the UAE, it became known about the serious consequences for users of virtual private networks (VPNs) that violate the rules of use. The country's authorities warn of possible prison terms and fines that can reach millions of dirhams for the misuse of VPNs.

According to information from official sources, UAE citizens are allowed to use private virtual networks (VPNs) to ensure privacy, but it is worth remembering that abuse of this tool for illegal purposes can entail serious penalties. According to Law No. 34 of 2021, using a VPN for illegal activities, hiding an IP address in order to access blocked sites or applications, is considered a serious crime.

Mohammed Al Kuwaiti, head of the cyber security department of the UAE government, noted that he is not against using VPNs for legal purposes, but stressed that using them in criminal activities is unacceptable. The response to such violations can include significant fines and even prison terms.

Experts note that the use of VPNs in the UAE is widespread among the population, in particular, to ensure the security of audio-video calls through applications such as WhatsApp, Skype, Facetime, Discord, IMO, as well as to access dating services blocked in the region.

Statistics reflect the increasing popularity of VPNs in the UAE. Last year, more than 6.1 million VPN applications were downloaded, which is 1.83 million more than in the previous year. This data was collected from Google Play and the Apple App Store using Sensor Tower and AppTweak services, including information on the 45 largest VPN providers.

Mohammed Al-Kuwaiti also stressed that with the growth of threats in the field of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI) complicates the task of protecting against cyber attacks. Criminals are increasingly using AI to create phishing emails and other frauds, which increases the risks to users' personal data. However, Mr. Al Kuwaiti noted that the role of artificial intelligence is also growing in the field of cyber threat prevention and cybersecurity.