VPN, VoIP apps among top UAE downloads

By
  • Joseph George
Published

The use of Virtual Private Networks (VPN) is punishable under UAE law, but that doesn’t seem to have stopped internet users from downloading such applications on their mobile phones and computers.

Several VPN-related applications along with VoIP apps (another restricted category) continue to hold top spots in the list of top downloads on various platforms in the UAE.

At least two different VPN applications were among the top ten downloads in the UAE on Android devices during the past week alone.

The number goes up to four in the list of Top 20 during the same period.

On the other hand, iPhone users appear to be fond of one particular VPN app, which ranks among the top five free apps for the month of July.

Having reached the number one spot on July 3, it remained there for well over a week and is currently trending at number three.

Along with VPN apps are VoIP apps, at number three, eighth, ninth and tenth positions of top app downloads.

It should be noted that the use of VPN is prohibited in the UAE and users can be penalised for the same.

A new amended law that came into effect in the UAE states that using a fraudulent IP address - which is what the VPN does - for the purpose of committing a crime or preventing its discovery could lead to imprisonment and a fine of half a million dirhams, which could go up to Dh2 million.

Read: Dh500,000 fine if you use fraud IP in UAE
 

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