The UAE's cybercrime law tightens control on internet use

Although 85% of UAE residents have access to the Internet, Emiratis have limited entry to applications, websites, and servers.

The UAE was ranked the country the third highest in the Middle East for access to internet. However, the Gulf country internationally ranks 17th out of 190 countries for accessibility. 

Recently, the Freedom of the Net Report ranks the UAE as not free, with a score of 68 out of 100, 100 being the worst. 

The government owns substantial portions of Internet providers, thus sustaining complete jurisdiction over access.

The UAE authorities has been widely criticized for deploying expensive surveillance software to target leading human rights activists.