UAE Allows VPNs but Misuse Punishable: Sentinel's Importance

Violators of VPN Laws Face Prison and Heavy Fines

In a recent statement, Muhammad Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity at UAE Government, clarified that residents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are permitted to use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). However, he emphasized that the misuse of VPNs "is the problem."

"We have no problem with people using VPNs, but using it for bad things is the problem," Al Kuwaiti told Khaleej Times at the G[P]RC Summit.

The Importance of VPNs in the Digital Age

As the world becomes increasingly digital, the need for secure and private online communication has never been more crucial. VPNs have emerged as a vital tool for individuals and businesses to protect their online activities and safeguard sensitive information.

However, not all VPNs are created equal. Centralized VPNs, which rely on a single server or a small group of servers, can be vulnerable to attacks and surveillance.

This is where decentralized VPNs like Sentinel, come into play.

The Advantages of Decentralized VPNs like Sentinel

Decentralized VPNs like Sentinel offer several key benefits over traditional, centralized VPNs:

Enhanced Security: By distributing the VPN network across a vast array of nodes, decentralized VPNs make it nearly impossible for hackers or surveillance agencies to compromise the entire network.
Increased Privacy: Decentralized VPNs do not rely on a single entity to manage the network, ensuring that no single party has access to user data or can monitor online activities.
Censorship Resistance: With nodes spread across the globe, decentralized VPNs are far more resilient against censorship attempts by governments or other entities.
Community-Driven: Decentralized VPNs like Sentinel are often built and maintained by a community of users and developers. This ensures that the service remains focused on user needs and privacy.

VPN Usage in the UAE

The UAE recorded the highest VPN application downloads in 2023 in the past four years, surpassing the pandemic year's downloads of 6.09 million in 2020, according to the latest update of the Global VPN Adoption Index by Atlas VPN.

Under the UAE Decree Law No (34) of 2021 concerning combating rumours and cybercrimes, the use of VPNs for illegal means, to commit a crime is a serious offence or to hide the IP address to get access to websites/calling applications /gaming applications which the UAE government blocks.

UAE residents who violate the law and misuse VPNs could face imprisonment and fines between Dh500,000 to Dh2 million.

The Role of AI in Cybersecurity

Al Kuwaiti also highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in both cybersecurity threats and defenses. He noted that ransomware attackers have used AI to craft phishing emails and verify their codes to infiltrate systems.

However, AI is also being employed to detect and proactively respond to many threats. The UAE aims to become an AI nation by 2071, and the government is working with partners to ensure the safety and security of the infrastructure.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the importance of secure and private online communication will only grow. Decentralized VPNs like Sentinel offer a promising solution, providing enhanced security, privacy, and resilience in the face of increasing cybersecurity threats.

Contributed by Sentinel Independent News
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