The UAE, home to the oil-rich capital of Abu Dhabi and the freewheeling financial hub of Dubai, long has blocked internet calling apps like WhatsApp and FaceTime, presumably due to security concerns and to protect the revenues of its monopoly state-run telecommunication companies.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a country that is known for its strict rules and regulations. The country is composed of seven emirates, one of them being Dubai. As per the UAE's laws, using VoIP services such as FaceTime, Skype, WhatsApp, and Viber is illegal in the country.
WhatsApp, like most free VoIP and messaging services, is blocked in Dubai and The UAE.
FaceTime is illegal in parts of the 'Middle East' and phones sold there do not have it installed.
The UAE, home to the oil-rich capital of Abu Dhabi and the freewheeling financial hub of Dubai, long has blocked internet calling apps like WhatsApp and FaceTime, presumably due to security concerns and to protect the revenues of its monopoly state-run telecommunication companies.
The UAE's Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRA) restricts access to portions of the web as well as person-to-person video communication such as Apple's FaceTime. This is not controlled on the handset but rather via the country's carriers.
Why Are Voice Calls, Video Calls and VOIP Services Banned? As mentioned earlier, the UAE government has banned WhatsApp calling and other Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls because of privacy and national security reasons.
Telegram. An encrypted messaging service that allows you to call and text friends who have also downloaded the Telegram app. Though a global app, the operational centre is based in Dubai, making it a perfect communication tool to use if WhatsApp is down in the UAE.
Why did Dubai ban WhatsApp? Dubai is part of the United Arab Emirates, in which there are strict internet restrictions imposed by the government. In the UAE, internet usage is monitored by the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA). The TRA has banned WhatsApp, as well as other similar apps like Skype and Viber.
The UAE's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has steadfastly upheld the ban on VoIP services such as WhatsApp, Facetime, Skype, Viber, and Zoom despite several public appeals to unblock them.
Luckily, there is a way to use Instagram Video calls in the UAE. With VPN, users within the UAE can bypass the country's regional restrictions and start video chatting with friends using the app.
If you are in Dubai, you will sadly not be able to make any WhatsApp calls to people using the app, since those functions have been limited by the government of Dubai. You can, however, access Whatsapp's texting feature, and share video messages or audio texts with your contacts.
Mobile numbers generally begin with 050 or 056 anywhere across UAE and to make a call you need to dial +971 50 or +971 56 along with the seven-digit mobile number.
One place that blocks off Messenger is the United Arab Emirates. If you live in Dubai or elsewhere in the UAE, there's just one way to use the app – and as you're about to find out, it's both legal and easy to use provided you know what to do.
Like so many VoIP services, Snapchat Video calling is unavailable in the United Arab Emirates–unless you use a VPN, that is. Today's article covers the most secure method to unblock your favorite chat apps in Dubai, or anywhere else you should happen to go. Read on for our recommended VPNs for use in UAE.
Don't click pictures of others without seeking their consent. Article 378 of the UAE Code states that taking pictures without obtaining permission will result in the camera being confiscated, recordings destroyed and photographers being charged a fine, or in some situations, being imprisoned.
Internet censorship
The UAE has been listed as "Under Surveillance" by Reporters Without Borders since 2008. Pornographic sites are banned and so is anti-Islamic and anti-government/anti-police material. The United Arab Emirates censors the Internet using Secure Computing's solution.
The UAE block nearly all VoIP services. Both WhatsApp and Snapchat's video calling functions are blocked to comply with the TRA's VoIP regulations. Moreover, they also block access to Skype video calling.
Apple's iMessage and Facetime blocked in the UAE [Updated]
The company has had to deal not only with monitoring issues, but also with a ban on Blackberry services in the UAE, a decision which has since been overturned.
Aside from GoChat Messenger, video calling services available to UAE residents include Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet, although these are traditionally designed for making business calls.