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29 Sep, 2023

Is Whatsapp Banned in Dubai?

Many people are perplexed about is Whatsapp banned in Dubai. The answer is yes. Users cannot use VOIP services such as Face time, Skype, or Skype for Business in addition to Whatsapp calls in Dubai. The ban has made communication difficult, especially since VOIP services are used in most parts of the world.

Although Whatsapp is banned in Dubai, residents have not complained due to the security they enjoy. This guide has explained why Dubai has banned Whatsapp and whether there is a way to access the appropriate service.

Why Is Whatsapp Banned in Dubai?

Whatsapp and other VOIP services such as Skype, IMO, and others are banned in Dubai. Many other services have been banned in Dubai for a variety of reasons. The Whatsapp ban was officially imposed in 2016, making it difficult for visitors to use the valuable service.

So, there are a few reasons why is Whatsapp banned in Dubai:

Maintain a Duopoly

According to the city's communication laws, only two companies are registered to provide communication services in Dubai. In addition to the two companies, Dubai has banned unregistered telecommunications companies from operating within its borders.

As a result, allowing other companies to provide the services would result in revenue loss, which would have an impact on Dubai's economy.

Security Monitoring

For security reasons, Dubai requires access to VOIP calls. Apps like Whatsapp, Skype, and Apple, on the other hand, do not follow the policy of sharing user privacy, which explains why they may be denied permission to operate in the country.

Signal Interference

According to licensed telecommunication companies in Dubai, Whatsapp uses a high bandwidth, preventing their signal from transmitting. As a result, they were forced to ban Whatsapp while continuing to allow licensed telecommunications companies to operate.

Encourage Foreign Investors

Some argue that the ban on VOIP services was imposed by Dubai to encourage other companies, such as Microsoft, to enter the country's telecommunications market. They would thus encourage the creation of new job opportunities.

The ban appeared to be lifted, but this has not occurred, and the government has not stated when it will be lifted.

What should I use instead of Whatsapp in Dubai?

The UAE government developed its video and audio calling apps, C' me and Botim. The apps provide services similar to Whatsapp, such as free video calls, the use of emojis, and the ability to share photos.

However, some app users have reported issues with them.

According to reports, the apps have connectivity issues, making them a poor choice for people who need to make long or important calls.
Similarly, while Whatsapp is free, both C' me and Botim are not.
There is also no privacy because all user information is shared with the state.
However, some tourists have discovered a workaround for the issue.

By installing a VPN on your phone, you can gain access to Whatsapp and other similar apps. A VPN will allow your phone to appear to be in a different location, giving you access to your favorite apps.

How Do I Access Whatsapp in Dubai?

The main idea that will help in unblocking Whatsapp in Dubai is to use a VPN. By connecting to a VPN server in another country, you can bypass the UAE's internet blocking. This allows you to use services that are normally unavailable in the UAE.

When you connect to the Internet using a standard network connection, you are assigned a UAE IP address or the IP address of the country in which you are currently located. Many websites and web services are not accessible via UAE IP. This means that if you try to access some websites from an Arabian IP address, you will be blocked.

To unblock Whatsapp calling in UAE, simply hide or mask your real IP address and change it to the IP of another country where all of your required sites are accessible. VPN service is the simplest and fastest ways to hide your true IP address.

What is a VPN? And why use it?

A VPN, which stands for Virtual Private Network, is a network that provides user privacy and data encryption. It establishes a secure tunnel through which your Internet connection is redirected to a private foreign server, masking your true I.P. (Internet Protocol) address.

As a result, because your device will not have a local Dubai IP address, you will be able to access government-blocked websites and applications.

VPNs use encryption to conceal the content you are viewing online (as well as any other activities you conduct) from both your ISP and any other third-party snooping on your online activities.

As a result, the encryption used by VPNs works to keep hackers and other online criminals at bay if you access sensitive information such as an online bank account, company files, and so on.

Read Also: Umrah Visa From Dubai

How to use a VPN to unbanned Whatsapp?

A VPN, like any other app, is obtained by downloading the application. To use the VPN, you must first complete the following steps:

Downloading the VPN

First, you must obtain and install the VPN app. So, all you have to do is go to the website of your preferred VPN provider and click the 'download, “signup,' or 'get started' buttons on the home page. The download only takes a few minutes to complete. Then, to launch the application, double-click the downloaded file.

There will be several prompts to follow until you are given the option to install or sign in. The installation process varies by VPN, but it generally entails entering a username, password, and email address to create your account.

Launching the Application

You will be able to use the VPN application on your device after completing the installation process. In this step, you simply locate the app on your device and launch it. The VPN is launched from the 'applications' folder on Mac, while the app is installed on the home screen on mobile devices.

Connecting to the VPN’s Servers

When you open and log in to your newly acquired VPN, it will automatically connect you to a server near your location. The goal is to maintain high Internet speeds while enjoying the privacy of the VPN.

Unfortunately, this may result in being redirected to a server in the United Arab Emirates, which will not work to circumvent government censorship.

As a result, it is preferable to select the server location yourself.

Many VPN providers allow you to select your preferred server location from the dashboard or settings pane of your application. Choose remote locations such as the United States, Europe, or the United Kingdom to keep the UAE government at bay.

The Best VPNs to unbanned Whatsapp in Dubai

When looking for a VPN to unblock Whatsapp, look for one with fast speeds, server locations close to the UAE, and strong security features. Here are our top recommendations.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for unblocking Whatsapp in Dubai because it is extremely fast. The closer the VPN server makes faster your browsing speed. ExpressVPN has a few servers in countries close to Dubai, including Pakistan, Israel, Egypt, and India, among its over 3,000 servers in 94 countries.

Express VPN also includes military-grade AES-256 encryption, DNS leak protection, and obfuscated servers, ensuring that the UAE government cannot detect and monitor your traffic. The main disadvantage of Express VPN is that it is expensive, but there is a 30-day money-back guarantee to test it out.

NordVPN

Nord VPN, which has 5,200 servers in 60 countries, is also a good option for using Whatsapp in Dubai. It has servers in neighboring countries like Turkey, Israel, and India. Furthermore, NordVPN's encrypted servers make it an excellent choice for fast, anonymous browsing.

Because they conceal the fact that you're using a VPN, such servers are ideal for heavily censored areas like Dubai. Furthermore, NordVPN provides extra layers of security with features such as double VPN and onion over VPN. However, we wouldn't recommend it to new VPN users because all of the advanced features can be difficult to use.

Fortunately, NordVPN is slightly less expensive than ExpressVPN if you subscribe to one of its long-term plans.

Windscribe

This VPN also has servers in neighboring countries such as Israel and Turkey. Wind scribe, on the other hand, makes this list because of its encapsulated protocols, "Stealth" and "WStunnel." While they can cause your internet connection to slow, they are useful because they hide the fact that you are using a VPN from prying government servers.

Wind scribe's claim to fame is that it offers one of the most fantastic free plans. It's one of the few free VPNs we wholeheartedly recommend, so give it a shot if you're on a tight budget.

Final Thoughts

All that I have on is Whatsapp banned in Dubai. Whatsapp is a popular app, and its convenient voice and text services have contributed to its success. Despite the app's benefits, Dubai has banned its residents from making Whatsapp calls.

Because Whatsapp calls are banned in Dubai, you'll need a VPN to use the app. ExpressVPN is the best VPN for us because of its extensive server network and dependability. However, cheaper alternatives such as NordVPN and Windscribe are also available.

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