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.
This category includes Internet Content that contains material of a pornographic nature, or relates or depicts acts of homosexuality, nudity and sexual material (including stories, jokes, animations, and video) or Internet Content that promotes sexual activity.
Gulf Arab states, including Dubai, aren't exactly fond of uncensored content. Now, they have issued warning to Netflix, asking it to pull down content that is violating "Islamic and societal standards."
According to Amnesty International, the UAE arbitrarily restricts the rights to freedom of expression and association, and detains government critics, opponents and foreign nationals under criminal defamation and anti-terrorism laws.
Offensive behaviour
Swearing and making rude gestures (including online) are considered obscene acts and offenders can be jailed or deported. Take particular care when dealing with the police and other officials. Public displays of affection are frowned upon, and there have been several arrests for kissing in public.
No separate law for men and women
The authorities may punish an individual by custody and or impose fine on him or her for wearing indecent, vulgar or inappropriate dress in public. Beach wear and swim suits are only allowed in designated areas of beach or swimming pools."
Any type of beachwear from bikini to full-cover Islamic swimsuits is allowed at all beaches, pools, and waterparks, like e.g. Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis, The Palm. The only rule on Dubai beaches and waterparks is no nudity.
Several laws limit anonymous communication online. State surveillance is widespread and infringes on users' right to privacy. The country is home to some of the most sophisticated surveillance technology, and authorities can monitor civilians' activity both online and offline.
The United Arab Emirates censors the Internet using Secure Computing's solution. The country's ISPs Etisalat and du (telco) ban pornography, politically sensitive material and anything against the perceived moral values of the UAE. All or most VoIP services are blocked.
WhatsApp, like most free VoIP and messaging services, is blocked in Dubai and The UAE. This can make it difficult to keep in touch with friends and family back home unless you're willing to pay for a government-approved service like C'Me or BOTIM.
Sexting in the UAE is against the law. That also includes nude selfies, as this young couple found out.
The importation and sale of religious material is allowed; however, attempts to spread Christianity among Muslims are not permitted.
Frequently Asked Questions About Using WhatsApp in Dubai
The WhatsApp features of making video calls and voice calls don't work while you're in Dubai. Yes, you can use Instagram in Dubai. There are plenty of alternatives for WhatsApp that will help you stay connected to your loved ones while you're visiting Dubai.
There are no specific laws in the UAE that address the distribution of content or the authorisation/licensing of content distributors. The E-Media Law does, however, address the issue of what will be “Licensable Electronic Media Activities”.
Netflix is available in over 190 countries around the world. Each country has its own catalog of original and licensed TV shows and movies. The country on your account can't be changed unless you move to a new one.
The United Arab Emirates' Media Regulatory Office has announced that new movies will be released in cinemas there without any censorship.
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.
YouTube and Google say they have no plans to monitor the Internet or ban online content in the UAE.
Unfortunately, Zoom is blocked in the UAE and other countries like Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, and others. We are here to help you to unblock Zoom in UAE and other countries.
Is Twitter banned in Dubai? Like Facebook, Twitter is available in Dubai, but users must adhere to strict rules when using the social media app.
Refrain from posting photograph, videos or comments on the social media platforms which invade someone's privacy and personal life. Following Article 44 of the UAE Cybercrime Law such offences may attract imprisonment of at least six months and penalties from Dh150,000 to Dh500,000.
You can wear shorts in Dubai and even skirts, if they are at knee length and not shorter than that. Just be mindful of the fact that there are a lot of families and children there.