Dubai Laws Foreigners Should Consider

Swearing on WhatsApp

Dubai has a strong anti-swearing policy, and even saying the F-word is punishable under Article 373 of the Dubai Penal Code. Such language is considered an offense against a person's honor or modesty. If you are found to be swearing, you could face up to a year in prison and a fine of up to 10,000 dirhams ($2,157). Furthermore, showing the middle finger is seen as an obscene gesture and can lead to deportation. This applies to both private and public situations, as well as social media and WhatsApp. Swearing or sending inappropriate emojis can result in fines of up to 250,000 dirhams (£53,928), imprisonment, or deportation.

Checking Someone's Phone

In Dubai's social media landscape, it is illegal to violate someone's privacy through computer networks. A privacy breach occurs when someone accesses another person's personal information or transfers images without permission. In a 2016 case, a woman in Ajman who transferred pictures of her husband from his phone to hers via WhatsApp, accusing him of adultery, was fined 150,000 dirhams (£32,363) and deported. The potential penalties for violating this regulation include at least six months in prison and fines ranging from 100,000 to 500,000 dirhams (£21,563 to £107,816).

Eating or Drinking on Public Transport

All forms of public transport and their stations, including the metro, buses, and pedestrian crossings, explicitly prohibit the consumption of food and beverages. If you are seen eating or drinking anything, you could be fined 100 dirhams (£22).

Carrying Food Containing Poppy Seeds

Poppy seeds are considered a source of opium and are banned in Dubai. Being caught in possession of poppy seeds is a serious violation of the law and can result in a prison sentence.

Donations

The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) must grant approval before any funds can be raised for charity in Dubai. Dubai's charity regulations are broken when fundraising events are advertised or donations are solicited without permission. Potential consequences include deportation, fines ranging from £53,928 to £107,855, and imprisonment.

Using a VPN

Dubai's cybercrime laws prohibit the use of a virtual private network (VPN) to access blocked or restricted websites or to download copyrighted content. If a VPN user uses a fraudulent IP address or a third-party address to commit or conceal a crime, they can be fined between 500,000 dirhams (£107,855) and 2 million dirhams (£431,421) and may also face imprisonment.

Owning a Dirty Car

Despite the sandstorms that regularly occur in Dubai, owning a dirty automobile is seen as damaging the city's reputation and endangering public health. Dirty vehicles are regularly impounded, and their owners are fined, with an impound cost of 3,000 dirhams (£647).

Washing Your Car

It is illegal to clean your car the "wrong" way, just as it is to not wash it at all. Due to the contamination from unclean water in the streets and sewers, washing your car in a residential area or hiring labor for a car wash is considered defacing the city and threatening the environment. It is necessary to use reputable car wash facilities, such as those found at gas stations or in the parking lots of shopping malls.

Taking Photos of People Without Permission

Protecting people's privacy is a top priority in Dubai. Taking a picture of someone without their knowledge or consent is a serious offense. Sharing these photos on social networking sites makes the violation even worse. Under cybercrime regulations, offenders risk six months in prison and a fine of up to 500,000 dirhams (£107,816). In reality, the penalties can be much worse, with some tourists potentially facing deportation.