Bitcoin Forum

hi there,

I just understood that WhatsApp and Skype are blocked in UAE / Dubai... what about bitcoin core? can you run it?

it seems they also don't like people running VPNs...

anyone had experience with that ?

thanks,
Gabrio

I don't see any connection from the ban of WhatsApp and skype in UAE from using bitcoin core, if you have at least minimum requirements (https://bitcoin.org/en/full-node#minimum-requirements) of running bitcoin core then there's nothing to worry about that.

It should be possible as there are exchanges based there and I checked the list of full nodes (https://bitnodes.earn.com/) and there are three in UAE.

ok good stuff thanks guys

I actually asked it to one of my friend that is living in DUBAI.
The reason why WhatsApp and Skype are banned in the UAE is because of that it affected all of the telecommunication businesses in the country. However, having the bitcoin core in the country and operate it daily is really possible.

you have to understand  the difference between a centralized network (where you connect to a server) and a decentralized network (where you connect to other computers on the internet). it is a simple difference yet effective, in first case which is WhatsApp and Skype,... you always connect to a fixed server with a fixed IP address so it is easy to block that connection. but in a decentralized peer to peer network nobody can block you since you are simply connecting to other computers there is no one fixed IP address to block.

there are however some extreme cases where the ISPs can do some packet sniffing (since the communication is not encrypted) and detect and block bitcoin packets but the solution is a simply encryption. this option doesn't exist yet though and i believe it is because i have never heard of such a case.

Just to add: if you're paranoid about it, you can run it through Tor.

https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Tor
https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Setting_up_a_Tor_hidden_service

I didn't know that Skype and WhatsApp are banned in Dubai. It's frustrating because a client of mine if interacting with me through those apps. Any site and apps involving cryptocurrency there is still being operated and it's a good thing because it's necessary for crypto users there.

This is old news. Skype and Whatsapp have been banned completely since the beginning of 2018 which is a shame for a country which has been embracing technological developments seriously in recent times.

On the other hand, I don't really see the problem with running Bitcoin core in Dubai since I have not heard anything against it in this regard.

Skype & Whatsapp isn't related bitcoin, so we don't need to worry about it. These is related with telecommunications, perhaps telecom companys decide to ban Skype & Whatsapp due to free calls and messages. Bitcoin core nothing to do with telecom companys. So I don't think they would ban it. As far as I know there is ATM both for buy bitcoin with credit card. Long time ago I have seen someone bought and make video. So it's not big problem and we shouldn't worry about it.

Completely agree, and with the risk of going off topic, I will just leave any further comments as in "what's wrong with text and free calls?" - we got Skype for decades.. but let's leave it there.

thanks everyone for feedback!

Isn't it quite difficult to impossible to ban/block bitcoin core from running from any place? It's not like WhatsApp and Skype which can be blocked as it uses centralized server meaning just have to block that specific server to block those app in that very place.But running BTC core is decentralized P2P system meaning it's simply impossible to ban from running.

It can be easy if the node address is known, so the internet provider can just ban them. However this is easy to fix as we can simply start another node, use VPN or stuff like that to prevent the blocking. It's a waste of them banning Bitcoin through the internet, but it's easy to ban Bitcoin exchanges or something similar.

You could try using a VPN but if the ISPs are blocking Skype, it may be difficult to find a VPN, let alone a free VPN, that hasn’t also been blocked in the UAE. does this have anything to do with bitcoin?
I really don't know whether this will be a problem with the world of bitcoin in that country.

I just know in Dubai you can't add "crypto" or "bitcoin" words to description on a bank transfer because you get banned (your transfers declined)

it is idea l for one to run various kinds of investments as the quest for money making does not in anyway have any kind or form of innovation ans generates or develops loads of funds and running most of the nodes of the various blockchain projects has its own way of generating income and Bitcoin Core is not left out of it.