The Head of Cybersecurity at the UAE Government, Muhammad Al Kuwaiti, has emphasized the importance of responsible Virtual Private Network (VPN) usage among residents. He acknowledged that VPNs are allowed in the UAE but stressed that their misuse is a growing concern.
In 2023, the UAE saw a surge in VPN application downloads, surpassing even the numbers from the pandemic year of 2020. According to the Global VPN Adoption Index by Atlas VPN, the country recorded the highest downloads in four years.
Under UAE Decree Law No (34) of 2021, using VPNs for illegal activities or to evade government restrictions is a serious offense, punishable by imprisonment and fines ranging from Dh500,000 to Dh2 million.
Al Kuwaiti explained that VPNs are commonly used by UAE and Gulf residents for making audio-video calls through popular apps like WhatsApp, Skype, Facetime, Discord, IMO, and dating apps. Last year, UAE residents downloaded 6.1 million VPN apps, marking a notable increase from the previous year.
The VPN penetration rate, calculated by considering VPN downloads per country’s population, indicated a high prevalence of VPN usage.
Al Kuwaiti also highlighted the growing risks in cybersecurity, with artificial intelligence (AI) being a significant contributor. He mentioned that cybercriminals are increasingly using AI to create phishing emails and develop codes for infiltrating systems.
Nevertheless, he noted that AI is also playing a pivotal role in defending against cyberattacks. The UAE’s centennial goal for 2071 is to become an AI nation, reflecting the nation’s commitment to technological advancement.
Al Kuwaiti concluded by mentioning that the UAE aims to create flexible and business-friendly policies that foster economic growth while ensuring the safety and security of its infrastructure.
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