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07 Jan 2018 | 10:16 PM UTC

UAE: Skype no longer available December 31

Authorities block free telecommunications app Skype as of December 31

Informational

Event

Service for the free internet telecommunications app Skype has been suspended in the UAE as of 31 December. No official declaration has been made by the government, however, UAE phone companies Etisalat and "du" have confirmed that the app is blocked in the country. According to Etisalat, Skype is being blocked because it provides unlicensed Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Service, which is prohibited under the UAE’s Regulatory Framework.

Advice

Individuals in the UAE are advised to obey all local regulations. The use of VPN is legal only under certain conditions; violators of cyber regulations may be subject to a fine ranging from Dh50,000 to Dh3 million depending on the seriousness of the crime.