List of Websites blocked in UAE: The UAE is known for its strict censorship laws and regulations regarding online content. This has resulted in a long list of websites being blocked in the country. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) censors the internet in many areas.
The Internet Access Management (IAM) Regulatory Policy, overseen by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) in the UAE, mandates that Etisalat and Du, upon TDRA’s request, block online content that violates cyber laws in force. TDRA outlines prohibited content as material that contradicts or is deemed offensive to public interest, morality, order, security, or Islam.
In this article, we have provided the list of websites that are blocked in UAE for various reasons that are also discussed in the article.
Table of Content
List of Websites Blocked in UAE
In this article, we will look closer at the UAE’s top list of blocked websites and the reasons behind their censorship. Let’s take a look at some of the most commonly blocked websites in the country:
|
Category |
Websites |
Reason for Blockage |
|---|---|---|
|
VoIP Services |
Skype, WhatsApp, Viber |
Protecting profits of local telecommunication companies |
|
Social Media |
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram |
Blocking inappropriate content and dissenting opinions. |
|
Pornographic |
Pornhub, Xvideos, Redtube |
Upholding conservative values and morality |
|
News Websites |
The New York Times, The Guardian, BBC News |
Criticism of government policies or sensitive content |
|
Political Content |
Al Jazeera, Middle East Eye, Human Rights Watch |
Criticism of UAE government or regional political issues |
|
Streaming Platforms |
Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu |
Cultural or moral sensitivities, licensing agreements |
|
Gambling/Betting |
Online casinos, sports betting websites |
Illegal activities under UAE laws |
|
Torrenting Sites |
The Pirate Bay, RARBG, Torrentz2, |
Copyright infringement and piracy |
|
LGBTQ+ Content |
LGBTQ+ forums, support groups |
Criminalization of same-sex relationships |
|
Anti-Islamic Content |
Websites critical of Islam or promoting other religions |
Upholding Islamic values and beliefs |
|
Israel-related Sites |
Websites discussing Israel or supporting pro-Israel views |
Absence of diplomatic relations with Israel |
|
File-Sharing Sites |
BitTorrent, uTorrent, LimeTorrents |
Facilitating illegal downloads and copyright violations |
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Internet Censorship in UAE
Internet censorship in the UAE started in the early 2000s, and it’s managed by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA). They keep an eye on what people can access online. The goal is to block websites that might upset the country’s culture and values. The TRA has a list of websites that are banned, including ones with pornography, gambling, political stuff, and some social media.
The main reason for this censorship is to protect Islamic values and traditions in the UAE. The country is pretty conservative about things like religion, sex, and politics. So, anything that goes against these values is seen as a problem for society and is kept away from the public. They also block websites with hate speech or ones that criticize the government.
Additionally, the government has put rules to encourage careful internet use rather than blocking websites completely. The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) made guidelines for internet content control. It asks all internet providers to set up tools for parents to manage and limit what their kids can see online.
But even with these rules, there have been times when the system didn’t work well. For example, in 2017, Skype, a widely used communication app, got banned because of safety worries. This caused problems for many people and businesses who relied on Skype to talk. Likewise, when the popular messaging app WhatsApp got banned in 2019, it upset many people.Furthermore, the system used to block content also worries people about privacy and being watched. People worry this could invade their privacy and feel like the government is spying on them. Even though the TRA says it’s for national security, some people think it’s a way to control what people do online and stop them from being free.
Types of Websites Blocked in UAE
There are several categories of prohibited content in the UAE, including:
1. Websites used for bypassing blocked content: These include proxy servers and virtual private networks (VPNs) that allow access to prohibited content.
2. Pornography, nudity and vice
3. Impersonation, fraud and phishing
4. Insult, slander and defamation
5. Invasion of privacy
6. Offences against the UAE and public order
7. Supporting criminal acts and skills: Content that provokes, calls for, promotes or provides information about how to carry out acts of crime or felony.
8. Drugs
9. Medical and pharmaceutical practices that violate the law: This includes content used in promoting or trading pharmaceuticals without prescription.
10. Infringement of intellectual property rights
11. Discrimination, racism and contempt of religion
12. Viruses and malicious programmes
13. Promotion of or trading in prohibited commodities and services
14. Illegal communication services
15. Gambling
16. Terrorism
17. Illegal activities
Main Websites Blocked in UAE
The UAE has strict rules about what people can see and do online. This means lots of websites are blocked in the country. Let’s talk about some of the main ones and why they’re banned.
1. VoIP Services
- Services like Skype and WhatsApp let people make calls over the internet. But in the UAE, these are blocked. Why? Well, because the UAE wants people to use local phone companies instead of these cheaper internet calls. So, they’ve banned these services to protect the local companies’ profits.
2. Social Media Platforms
- Social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are really popular worldwide. But in the UAE, they’re not totally free to use. The government blocks stuff it thinks is inappropriate or against their beliefs. This could be anything from posts about LGBT rights to criticizing the government. They want to control what people see and say online.
3. Pornographic Websites
- In the UAE, they don’t allow any websites showing adult content. It’s because they follow strict rules based on their beliefs. This includes sites with explicit pictures or information about sex education. The UAE’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority keeps an eye on these sites and blocks them if they break the rules.
4. News Websites
- In the UAE, the government controls all the news sources, even online ones. If a website talks bad about the government or brings up important issues, it might get blocked. This means people might not get all the different viewpoints and news stories they should. It’s like controlling what people can know about what’s happening.
5. Gambling and Betting Websites
- In the UAE, playing games or betting for money is not allowed, even online. So, websites about gambling, poker, or sports betting are blocked in the country. The government wants to make sure people don’t get involved in these activities.
6. Anti-Islamic Content
- The UAE follows strict Islamic laws. This means any online content that disrespects or goes against Islamic values is not allowed. This includes websites that say bad things about Islam, promote different religions, or criticize Islam.
7. Websites Related to Israel
- The UAE doesn’t have friendly relations with Israel. So, any websites talking about Israel or supporting it are not allowed. The UAE blocks these websites to keep certain perspectives away from people.
8. File-Sharing Websites
- Websites where people share files, like downloading movies for free, are blocked too. This is because it’s often used for illegal stuff like downloading things without permission. The UAE wants to make sure people follow the rules about copyrights and don’t share things they shouldn’t.
9. VPN Services
- VPNs are like secret tunnels on the internet. They help people get around blocks and access websites that are banned. But in the UAE, VPNs are also banned. This means people can’t use them to see blocked stuff. The government wants to keep tight control over what people do online.
10. LGBTQ+ Websites
- In the UAE, being in a same-sex relationship is against the law. This also applies online. So, any website talking about LGBTQ+ stuff or supporting LGBTQ+ rights is likely to be blocked. The government wants to keep things in line with their rules and beliefs.
Methods of Website Blocking in UAE
The process of how websites are blocked in UAE, and what it implies for internet users.
- In the UAE, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) is in charge of deciding which websites people can’t access. They keep a list of websites that are banned, like ones with bad content, gambling, or political stuff that upsets the government.
- First, the TRA uses computer programs to scan websites for certain words or phrases that might be bad. If a website has these words, it gets put on the banned list.
- Then, they tell internet providers (ISPs) about the banned websites, and the ISPs have to stop people from going to them within 24 hours.
- ISPs have a few ways to block websites. One common way is called DNS filtering. When you try to go to a banned website, they send you to an error page or a different website instead. Another way is IP blocking, where they stop you from directly reaching the website’s address. But people can often get around this by using a VPN or a proxy server.
- Sometimes, ISPs might just block certain pages within a website instead of the whole thing. This is called URL filtering and is used for websites with both good and bad stuff.
- The TRA also uses fancy technology called Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) to watch internet traffic and catch people trying to get to banned websites with VPNs or proxies.
- Apart from websites, the TRA can also stop people from using apps like WhatsApp or social media if they think people are doing bad things through them.
- The TRA checks the banned list regularly. If a website fixes its problems, they might unblock it. People can also ask the TRA to check if a website should be unblocked if they think it was blocked unfairly.
- But it’s important for people in the UAE to know the banned websites and not try to go to them. If they do, they could get in trouble, like getting fined or even going to jail. So it’s best to stay away from those websites.
Why is Social Media Banned in UAE
Social media refers to online platforms and applications that enable users to create and share content or participate in social networking. These platforms have become a powerful tool for communication, information sharing, and business promotion. However, its use comes with certain risks and challenges, which have led to its ban in UAE. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons for this ban:
- National security concerns: One of the primary reasons for banning social media in UAE is to protect national security. Social media has been used as a tool for spreading false information, propaganda, and inciting violence and unrest in many countries. The UAE government believes that blocking access to certain social media platforms helps prevent such threats to national security.
- Cultural and religious values: The UAE is an Islamic country with strong cultural and religious values. The government believes that some content on social media platforms goes against these values and may lead to cultural erosion or offensive material being circulated. Thus, they have taken measures to ban or restrict access to such content.
- Protecting traditional media: The traditional media in UAE, which includes newspapers and television channels, are heavily regulated by the government. With the rise of social media, traditional media outlets have faced stiff competition in terms of audience reach and advertising revenue. To protect their interests, the government has banned or restricted access to social media platforms, limiting the competition for traditional media.
- Cybercrimes: Social media platforms are also used as a breeding ground for cybercrimes such as online fraud, identity theft, and cyberbullying. The UAE government has taken strict measures to combat these crimes and protect its citizens from falling victim to them. The ban on certain social media platforms is seen as a preventive measure to reduce the risk of such crimes.
- Controlling political discourse: The UAE government has a low tolerance for political dissent and criticism. Social media has been used in the past by activists and opposition groups to organize protests and voice their opinions against the government. To control and monitor such activities, the government has banned or restricted access to social media platforms.
- Preventing social disruptions: The spread of fake news and misinformation on social media has led to social disruptions in many countries. The UAE government aims to avoid such situations by controlling the flow of information through social media platforms. By banning or restricting access, they believe they can prevent any potential unrest or protests.
- Compliance with regulations: The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) in the UAE regulates all forms of communication, including social media platforms. These regulations require all social media companies to obtain a license from the TRA before operating in the country. Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to a ban.
Impact of Restricted Internet Access in UAE
- Limited access to information: The restrictions on the internet mean people in the UAE can’t easily get information from all over the world. This can stop them from learning new things and understanding what’s happening globally. It might also slow down their personal growth and make it hard for them to know about big issues in the world.
- Limits freedom of speech: In the UAE, people can’t freely share their opinions online because of strict rules against talking about politics or controversial topics. This stops them from expressing themselves and having open discussions without worrying about getting in trouble with the government.
- Hurts businesses and the economy: Businesses in the UAE rely on VPNs to talk to partners and clients outside the country. But because VPNs are banned, it’s hard for them to communicate, which can hurt trade and partnerships. This can also have a bad impact on the economy because businesses might struggle to make deals internationally.
- Challenges for expats: Many people in the UAE come from different countries to work or live there. But with limited internet access, it’s hard for them to keep in touch with their families and friends back home. They may also struggle to access important information or services from their home countries.
- Limits creativity and new ideas: When people can’t freely access information or share their thoughts online, it makes it harder for them to be creative or come up with new ideas. This can hold back innovation and stop people from reaching their full potential.
- More surveillance: The UAE has strict laws about cybercrimes, which means the government can keep an eye on what people do online. This makes it hard for people to have privacy and can make them worry about being watched all the time.
- Harder to learn: Education is really important for people to learn new things and get better jobs. But with limited internet access, students may struggle to find information they need for schoolwork or projects. This can make it harder for them to do well in school.
Conclusion – List of Websites Blocked in UAE
The list of websites blocked in the UAE reflects the stringent measures implemented by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) to uphold cyber laws and preserve societal values. The significant number of websites flagged for containing pornography-related content and engaging in phishing and fraudulent activities underscores the ongoing challenges in regulating online content. However, while the blocking of websites is crucial for maintaining public order and security, it also prompts discussions about internet censorship and freedom of expression. As technology continues to evolve, it is essential for authorities to strike a balance between safeguarding societal norms and ensuring open access to information for citizens. Moving forward, a transparent and inclusive approach to internet governance will be vital in navigating these complexities and fostering a digitally inclusive society in the UAE.
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FAQs on List of Websites Blocked in UAE
Why are certain websites blocked in the UAE?
For a variety of reasons, including national security, safeguarding religious and cultural values, preventing cybercrimes, and regulating political speech, some websites are restricted in the United Arab Emirates.
Who decides which websites to block in the UAE?
In the United Arab Emirates, online material is regulated and observed by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA). They use the laws and regulations of the nation to determine which websites to restrict.
What types of websites are typically blocked in the UAE?
In the UAE, websites pertaining to gambling, pornography, LGBT rights, political criticism of the government, and information deemed offensive to Islamic values are usually restricted.
How are websites blocked in the UAE?
In the United Arab Emirates, websites are restricted by a variety of techniques, such as DNS filtering, IP blocking, URL filtering, and Deep Packet Inspection (DPI). These techniques stop people from going directly to the websites that are restricted.
Can users in the UAE access blocked websites using VPNs?
In the United Arab Emirates, it is illegal to use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to access websites that are restricted. Still, some users try to use VPNs to get around the restrictions, running the risk of getting caught and facing legal repercussions.