I read that in the UAE simply using a VPN to enter a porn site, call on Whatsapp or log in to betting sites and casinos leads to a fine of Aed 500,000 up to Aed 2,000,000 and jail time, is this true?
If that were the case, all of Dubai should be in prison…
I owe 5 trillion if that’s the case.
Don’t believe random bullshit you read on the internet. No. No one is going to give a crap about your VPN.
It is considered a crime indeed, but the govt employees got much better things to do than to look up where you at. Although, the ISPs do make it harder to use common VPNs.
As for the “fine” I would avoid using VPNs in public areas (airports, municipalities and other govt buildings) where everything is monitored and high chances are that your IMEI, SIM etc may be flagged
The fine and jail time are nothing but a show. Just use it. They don’t have capacity not manpower to detect it.
They put the law in case if they catch someone doing dirty things like accessing the dark web and other serious crime that is done via internet.
I have heard about someone getting caught for this using VPN, but its hearsay, so.
In reality, what UAE does is they release their own free VPN so that they have some eye on the end users.
If you are using a VPN, do use something that you trust, probably a paid one
Yes, it’s true that using a VPN to access restricted content or services in the UAE can lead to fines up to AED 500,000 to AED 2,000,000 and potentially jail time. However, enforcement may vary, and many residents and visitors in Dubai do use VPNs without facing such penalties.
Nope, you won’t. Almost everybody would owe fines here if that was the case lol
Unless it’s a threat to the public or country safety
Has anyone been caught, fined and imprisoned for using a VPN to make a whatsapp video call or to access a porn website? Did this actually happen to some people?
For which use case? 
In your experience, has there ever been such a large fine for using a VPN to browse websites or make WhatsApp calls?
Can you argue better?
How did you assume I’m arguing?