Using VPN in Oman: Legal or illegal?

Recently my mom forwarded me a message from her friend that questioned whether the usage of VPN apps in Oman is illegal. For that, I decided to focus this week on answering a few common questions that I trust many people wish to know. Is using a VPN app illegal in Oman? Why would I need one in the first place? Can someone know that I am using VPN? Can they see what I am doing, where am I going and/or what services and sites am I visiting? And lastly, should I use a free or a paid VPN app?
These questions have become part of everyday internet use. Some people use them for privacy, others for work, travel or security, while some believe that switching on a VPN makes them completely anonymous, The reality is more complicated.
VPN stand for a Virtual Private Network. Using one creates an encrypted connection between your device and a VPN server. Anything that passes between the connections is supposedly secured/encrypted. A VPN can also allow you to bypass services that are normally blocked by a local ISP (Internet Service Provider) e.g. Omantel, Ooredoo, Vodafone, Awasir etc. VPN can be useful when working remotely, accessing company systems or using public Wi-Fi, because it adds a layer of protection to your internet connection. Does a VPN app/service, however, makes you invisible? Not entirely – therefore be very careful and avoid doing anything that you literally do not want others to know.
The ISP may not be able to see the contents of your encrypted VPN traffic, but it may be possible to identify that you are connecting to a VPN server. The VPN service provider itself may also have information about your connection, depending on its technology and logging practices. For example, if you log into Google, Instagram, Facebook, your bank or another account, the VPN does not suddenly make you anonymous. The service can still know who you are, because you are logging in using your account credentials.
So is VPN app/service use illegal in Oman? This is where we should avoid simplistic answers. There is a widespread belief that VPNs are simply illegal in Oman. However, VPN technology itself should not automatically be confused with criminal activity. What matters is how it is being used and whether the underlying activity violates Omani law. A VPN should never be considered a way to bypass the law. If technology is used to commit, facilitate or conceal an offence, using a VPN does not provide immunity.
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) issued a warning about the risks associated with VPN applications. The warning was particularly interesting because it focused not on VPNs as technology, but on which VPN application you choose. TRA cautioned that some VPN apps may track or share personal information, collect unnecessary permissions, log browsing activity or even contain malware capable of stealing passwords, banking information and other sensitive data. Some may also redirect users to suspicious or fraudulent websites. In other words, you may install a VPN to protect your privacy and accidentally hand your privacy to someone else. According to TRA, companies that want to use VPN can collaborate and work through the local ISPs.
This brings me to the most common question: free or paid VPNs? Running a reliable VPN infrastructure costs money. If a service is completely free, it is worth asking how the company makes money and what happens to your data. There is no such thing as free lunch, one way or another, your data is used by the VPN service provider to make money.
So what to do? The recommendation is to download VPN applications only from trusted developers and official app stores, review the permissions requested and avoid free ones that lack a clear privacy policy or credible reputation. If you genuinely need a VPN, I would generally choose an established paid provider with a transparent privacy policy, strong security practices and an independently verified reputation. Use it for legitimate reasons and most importantly, don't assume that because your traffic is encrypted, nobody can ever know what you are doing.
Until we catch up again next week, be vigilant, stay safe and avoid doing anything unlawful.