It is strictly regulated.
Web scraping in the UAE falls under a complex legal framework balancing intellectual property, data protection, and cybersecurity laws, with enforcement tightening in 2024. While not explicitly banned, unauthorized scraping risks violating the Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combating Rumors and Cybercrimes, Federal Law No. 45 of 2021 on Data Protection, and the UAE’s adherence to international treaties like the Berne Convention. Courts scrutinize scraping activities for unauthorized access, data extraction, or commercial exploitation, particularly if it involves personal or proprietary data. Businesses must secure explicit consent or demonstrate a legitimate interest under the UAE’s evolving regulatory landscape.
Key Regulations for Web Scraping in United Arab Emirates
- Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 (Cybercrimes Law): Prohibits unauthorized access to computer systems or networks, with penalties including fines up to AED 3 million and imprisonment for scraping data without permission, even if publicly available.
- Federal Law No. 45 of 2021 (Data Protection Law): Mandates strict controls on personal data processing, requiring lawful bases (e.g., consent, contract) for scraping, with the UAE Data Office enforcing compliance and imposing fines up to AED 20 million for violations.
- Federal Law No. 7 of 2002 (Copyright Law): Protects digital content; scraping copyrighted material without authorization constitutes infringement, with civil and criminal liabilities under the Ministry of Economy’s oversight.