Weird Laws in Dubai: Dubai boasts of attractive sites, deluxe living, and policies established to offer the society a disciplined look. Despite the fact that everyone who goes on a trip is consciously or unconsciously familiar with some of those rules, UAE has some pretty strange laws in Dubai that will definitely make you do a double take. Knowledge about such peculiarities is useful because it can save you from being fined or at least losing your time and money on unexpected legal cases. From swearing on WhatsApp to using VPNs, here’s a list of weird laws in Dubai that both tourists and residents should keep in mind.
Table of Contents
Here Are the 5 Weird Laws in Dubai That Could Get You Fined
1. Swearing on WhatsApp
Probably one of the most weird laws in Dubai is that against taking of a blasphemy – not only in the public domain but also on social media. F-word is used in the UAE law as a violation of the UAE law as it is considered as a case of an offense against a person’s honor. UAE has taken this to digital platforms which includes the usage of the social media platforms such as WhatsApp whereby the holder of the account can be severely penalized for use of rude language – UAE’s cyber laws.
This restriction does not only include explicit swear words on the written content, but also the use of those emojis depicting rude gestures. The violators face fines ranging from fifty thousand to two hundred and fifty thousand dirhams (£53,928), imprisonment or deportation. Therefore, when communicating with friends or relatives in Dubai, it is pertinent you don’t use any words or emojis that are considered profane.
2. Checking Someone’s Without Their Phone
Privacy has always been respected in Dubai, and one of the weird laws in Dubai is the following one: it is forbidden to listen in to somebody’s telephone conversations without the latter’s consent. Pursuant to the privacy standards of the UAE, this law falls under privacy violation through electronic means which is unlawful. Offenders of this law risk up to 100,000 to 500,000 dirhams (about £21,563 to £107,816), or detention of up to six months.
In a famous case of 2016 a woman mutes Ajman decided to transfer the pictures from her husband’s phone to her own and then called him a cheater. She was given a fine of 150000 dirhams (£32,363) and was sent to her country. This is one of the weird laws in Dubai which might be unexpected for travelers and permanent inhabitants, that’s why the idea is to appreciate other people’s right to privacy of their digital life.
3. Using a VPN
Using VPN is another of the weird laws in Dubai that might trap you since Dubai has very harsh cybercrime laws. While many people turn to VPNs to unblock content or get around filters, having one in the UAE means you can be prosecuted for a criminal offense or escape justice if the VPN was used for a crime.
Penalties vary from 500 000 to 2 000 000 of dirhams (£107 855 to £431 421). At the very least if you are not involved in any malicious uses of the VPN, it is perhaps best to stay clear of it in Dubai. This is one of those funny laws in Dubai that could keep your Internet browsing session expensive if you do not observe certain principles.
4. Taking Photos of People Without Their Permission
One of the interesting aspects of Dubai is that it does respect personal privacy in the fact that it is actually against the law to take photos of individuals without their consent which is a thing that shocks many people. This one of the weird laws in Dubai is meant to protect an individual’s privacy and is strictly implemented on areas that are most public. Such photos are also prohibited to be posted in social media sites and violating this could lead to very stiff penalties.
The penalty for breaking this law can cost up to 500 000 dirhams (£107 816) and imprisonment. One Australian teacher, Jodi Magi was fined 10,000 dirhams (£2,157) and deported from the country after she posted what she perceived as a funny photo of a car parked in a place reserved for the disabled on the social site, Facebook. It’s even more important to avoid violation of this weird laws in Dubai by asking people if you can take their picture.
5. Snapping and Sharing Photos of Road or Aviation Accidents
As in any part of the world, getting a snapshot in the United Arab Emirates can sometimes be dangerous, and if you are near road or aviation incidents. This is one of the weird laws in Dubai that tourists and residents should be especially careful about because taking and sharing funny photos of such incidents can cost one between 50, 000 and 3 million dirhams (£10, 788 to £647, 262). Offenders of this law stand to be deported from the country.
In this regard, the regulation also covers regulation of photographs of governmental buildings, palaces and military centres. Taking such photos then uploading them on the social networks is allowed, therefore one should always have a keen eye and ensure there are no such images in cameras. Taking such pictures is against the social media rules and so one has to be very careful before using the camera.
Also Read: Top 5 Turkish Restaurants That Serve Authentic Baklava in Dubai
Final Thoughts on Weird Laws in Dubai
These weird laws in Dubai might sound strange to any visitor or new comer but are in place to ensure that the UAE upholds on the principles of honoring woman, privacy, and decency. Knowledge concerning such laws can assist one to parse prevent unnecessary infringements that attract serious consequences. Now that you’re familiar with some of the weird laws in Dubai, it is easier for you to tour Dubai without violating any of those forms of law.