WhatsApp, the popular messaging app, is widely used by people around the world. However, it is not available in every country.
One of the countries where WhatsApp is not available is Dubai.
WhatsApp was first banned in Dubai in 2014 by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA). This ban was put in place due to security concerns related to its encryption technology.
The TRA had argued that WhatsApp posed a risk of “unfettered access to illegal content and activities” and that it could be used for criminal activities such as money laundering and terrorism financing.
Since then, WhatsApp has been blocked in Dubai and other parts of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is still not possible to use WhatsApp within the country, even if you have an international SIM card or a VPN.
However, there are some alternatives:
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Skype: Skype is a popular VoIP service owned by Microsoft that can be used for voice and video calls.
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Viber: Viber is another messaging app with voice and video calling capabilities.
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IMO: IMO is an instant messaging app similar to WhatsApp that can also be used for voice and video calls.
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Telegram: Telegram is a cloud-based messaging platform with end-to-end encryption for added security.
These apps offer similar features as WhatsApp, but are not subject to the same restrictions as it is. Therefore, they are viable alternatives for people living in Dubai who want to communicate with their friends and family abroad.
Conclusion: Is WhatsApp Banned In Dubai?
Yes, WhatsApp has been banned in Dubai since 2014 due to security concerns related to its encryption technology. There are some alternatives such as Skype, Viber, IMO and Telegram available which offer similar features as WhatsApp but without the same restrictions.