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Dubai Blocks iDating, But Lets People Discovery Sites Off The Hook

Posted on November 3, 2012

Dubai pictureOPW – Nov 3 – Irena and I
were in Dubai for a few days so we thought we'd see which dating sites
were blocked and which made it past government filtering. Specifically
any 'Internet Content that contradicts the ethics and morals of the UAE
including Nudity and Dating' get blocked. iDating doesn't fit the
religion and culture of UAE. Matrimonials sites, on the other hand, are
ok.

Match, Plentyoffish and OKCupid were blocked. I thought
World Singles Arablounge.com might make the cut, but no. It was
blocked. China dating sites Zhenai, Baihe and Jiayuan were all blocked
as well. We got through to Facebook and thought we'd have more luck
with people discovery services. Badoo was blocked but Tagged and Meetme
were ok. Matrimonials sites made the cut. Shaadi, Bharat Matrimony
and Jeevansathi were all available in Dubai. We were especially pleased
that Online Personals Watch and Social Networking Watch were available
as well. Of course, as soon as I fired up my VPN I could get to
everything. Dubai Internet City also enjoys open access and alternative
ISP Du is more lenient than Etisalat. [Full Disclosure: POF and Meetme
are clients of Courtland Brooks]

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10 thoughts on “Dubai Blocks iDating, But Lets People Discovery Sites Off The Hook”

  1. Unknown's avatar Datinginsider says:
    November 4, 2012 at 10:40 pm

    Fascinating place. Dubai is a dude-fest, 1,370,000 males and 401,000 females. My friend works there often, they don’t use dating sites, its all local connections.

    Reply
  2. Unknown's avatar Datinginsider says:
    November 4, 2012 at 10:40 pm

    Fascinating place. Dubai is a dude-fest, 1,370,000 males and 401,000 females. My friend works there often, they don’t use dating sites, its all local connections.

    Reply
  3. Josh Millers's avatar Josh Millers says:
    November 8, 2012 at 9:41 pm

    I have noticed http://www.dubaidatingsite.com online dating website also has been blocked in UAE. This was one of the best dating websites for people in Dubai. Yes this is a cultural issue and no one can do anything about it.

    Reply
  4. Josh Millers's avatar Josh Millers says:
    November 8, 2012 at 9:41 pm

    I have noticed http://www.dubaidatingsite.com online dating website also has been blocked in UAE. This was one of the best dating websites for people in Dubai. Yes this is a cultural issue and no one can do anything about it.

    Reply
  5. Ash's avatar Ash says:
    January 6, 2013 at 6:35 am

    DubaiPersonals.com is not blocked and the domain is currently for sale. Due to cultural sensitivities, it is important not use the keywords dating in the domain name. Personals, matchmaking and matrimonial keywords are okay.

    Reply
  6. Ash's avatar Ash says:
    January 6, 2013 at 6:35 am

    DubaiPersonals.com is not blocked and the domain is currently for sale. Due to cultural sensitivities, it is important not use the keywords dating in the domain name. Personals, matchmaking and matrimonial keywords are okay.

    Reply
  7. hentai's avatar hentai says:
    May 2, 2017 at 12:27 pm

    How to discover if a site is banned in UAE? Exist some tools? Thanks

    Reply
  8. hentai's avatar hentai says:
    May 2, 2017 at 12:27 pm

    How to discover if a site is banned in UAE? Exist some tools? Thanks

    Reply
  9. Gloria Walton's avatar Gloria Walton says:
    June 4, 2017 at 11:51 am

    Hi This is bad or good i don’t know but government have some reason behind it, that’s why they are taking some serious step to block dating websites in Dubai. As Datinginsider indicate that woman and man ratio. How you conclude such things and comparing it with dating sites. It is not related to this action in any case. You people are having such type of mentality that’s why world goes behind such type of thinking.

    Reply
  10. Gloria Walton's avatar Gloria Walton says:
    June 4, 2017 at 11:51 am

    Hi This is bad or good i don’t know but government have some reason behind it, that’s why they are taking some serious step to block dating websites in Dubai. As Datinginsider indicate that woman and man ratio. How you conclude such things and comparing it with dating sites. It is not related to this action in any case. You people are having such type of mentality that’s why world goes behind such type of thinking.

    Reply

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