Find out if Making calls using VoIP are Illegal
Understanding VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
VoIP, also known as Voice over IP has been an important communication tool in businesses for quite a while. It’s one of the most well-known methods to communicate with business. It lets you communicate via video and voice and also multimedia using internet connectivity. VoIP does away with the need for a public switched telephone service (PSTN).
As the technology is being developed, a large part of businesses around the globe have already adopted it. VoIP has many benefits including cost savings, scale and global accessibility. Is VoIP call illegal? Let’s have a look.
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Is Voip Call Illegal?
Is VoIP call illegal? VoIP calls aren’t a crime. While many illegal operations are conducted through VoIP however, it’s anything less than regular mobile or landline communications. Since more and more companies utilize VoIP as their primary method for communication it is becoming a major concern for the government. The government should be in a position to regulate VoIP phone calls. The problem is that calls made through the internet can be difficult to discern the country of origin of the participants. If the conversation involves individuals of different nations, a question of who’s the one that has jurisdiction comes into play. VoIP offers an additional layer of privacy for the users as it is more difficult, if not impossible, to locate exactly where people are calling. The US VoIP service providers are closely monitored.
However, there are certain Countries around the world that prohibit or limit VoIP calls for different reasons.
- The primary reason for blocking VoIP calls is to protect government profits. This is to lessen the competition among national service providers who are more easily controlled by the national government.
- Security and privacy are just two of the reasons countries ban VoIP. Certain countries say they have a valid reason to justify their VoIP bans. The reason is to protect society from negative influences that could harm public interest. Certain countries prohibit VoIP to protect themselves during times of political instability as well as to deter fraud.
Which countries block VoIP?
Here’s a list of countries that are currently restricting VoIP or have limited availability of VoIP services. It is important to note the fact that it is likely to be updated in the future in accordance with any new laws or agreements that are in place in the respective countries.
| Country | Restriction |
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Only offers government owned VoIP service |
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Only allows VoIP calling through government owned services. |
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Blocks VoIP and Skype |
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Blocks all VoIP services except those done through China Unicom and China Telecom. |
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Citizens have no access to computers, mobiles are very expensive and the internet connection is too slow. |
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The National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority in Egypt denied blocking any VoIP applications, but users are facing difficulties to make calls through them without VPN. |
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It’s not clear if VoIP is blocked or not, but users reported connection difficulties with Skype. |
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Blocks Skype and VoIP. |
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Blocks VoIP services. |
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Blocks VoIP |
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Connections with VoIP apps are unpredictable at best. |
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Blocks VoIP |
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Blocks VoIP and Skype |
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Blocks VoIP and Skype |
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Blocks VoIP and Skype |
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Blocks VoIP |
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Blocks VoIP and Skype |
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Blocks VoIP and Skype |
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Blocks VoIP |
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Blocks VoIP and Skype |
What is VoIP?
VoIP Also referred to as Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a form of communication that lets users make calls over a broadband Internet connection, instead of a conventional (or analog) phone line. Certain VoIP services may only permit users to call other users using the same service. However, other VoIP services allow you to connect to anyone using the mobile number, such as local long distance or mobile, as well as international numbers.
How does Voip Work?
Contrary to the conventional PSTN VoIP does not rely on telephone lines or cables. systems. VoIP allows users to connect and take calls via the internet or through IP phone. In this manner, VoIP is the technology that permits the transfer of voice messages as well as other multimedia files over the internet. Before diving in the details we’ll examine the VoIP acronym a bit more:
- Voice over: VoIP encodes vocal messages in smaller data packets via the internet, and then forwards them to a destination.
- Internet Protocol: Web-connected devices with a unique “IP address” identify themselves against each other via the internet.
In simple terms, VoIP calls synthesize your voice into digital format before sending it to an awaiting IP address. If you’re calling from a standard telephone number the digital signal is transformed into a normal signal before it gets to its destination. If you’re calling using a VoIP device or regular PSTN line, the VoIP system will ensure that each call will be connected within milliseconds.
What are the Three primary types of VoIP calling?
VoIP phone systems allow users to make calls via cloud via your laptop or phone or computer. An internet connection is required to start VoIP calling. This means that switching from conventional phone systems can be simple.
- Computers and mobile devices: Many VoIP solutions include software that lets users make calls directly from their computers using microphones and headsets.
- IP telephone: Specialty phones are made to connect directly to your computer. You can then start making calls over the internet. With smartphones, VoIP calls are as easy as installing an application.
- Analog phone: With an adapter that works with analog phones, you can transform the analog signal from your phone into digital format, which you can then transfer onto the internet.
When is VoIP Call Illegal?
Criminals also make use of VoIP technology to target companies and even individuals. A large portion of cyber-related risk comes from VoIP fraud.
The scammer immediately calls the victim through the VoIP number and pretends to be the representative of the bank or a government official. Most people give their personal details to the person calling in these cases. The criminal uses this information to gain access to the account of the victim on the credit or debit card, or bank account to withdraw their money.
The scam isn’t new because criminals have used similar techniques for years using the old telephone system. Criminals were arrested in these cases and put at risk of being traced. Nowadays, thanks to an IP PBX , multi-tenant criminals do not need to be concerned about being traced. Scammers can scam people who aren’t technologically skilled and make use of official numbers to call those they want to call. They usually call older or inexperienced people in order to cause them to feel uncomfortable and steal their money by creating confusion. It could be a contact regarding a forgotten fixed deposit, loan or an inheritance of a distant relative. The criminals are able to create every excuse they can to lure people to reveal the personal information of their victims.
Top Voip Security Threats
You’re likely to be looking into the types of VoIP security issues that are readily available. Here’s a brief overview of the issues you need to know about.
- The Denial of Service (DoS) – This attack drains networks of their resources, which causes it to slow down calls and eventually stop calls. In a call center, this could impact the phone quality as well as the latency and time of uptime.
- War dialing: This type of attack aims to restrict the PBX’s capability to “scan” other telephone networks. It works by dialing numbers in order to establish connections to modems or other extensions that are intriguing.
- Toll fraud – Similar to the war-dialing technique is the connection to an outside line via your phone system. Criminals are able to call costly international numbers and rake in expensive toll charges.
- Phishing- This kind of attack targets unwitting clients who believe they are identifying themselves as an unknown phone caller. The victims divulge information about the internal IP network, passwords and other information and other information which is deemed sensitive.
- Call interception: Attackers make use of vulnerable networks to capture as well as decrypt SIP traffic. In order to make the situation more complicated, the attack can be executed using video.
- Spam – It’s not an issue that the voicemail system is often a victim of robocalls as well in other scams that target phones. A large number of people utilize restricted and/or “Private” caller ID.
- Malware – Attackers employ different types of malware to get telephone or email credentials. This creates new opportunities to breach your network and take private information regarding your business.
How does the FCC Regulate VoIP?
- 911 Services: The companies who provide “interconnected” VoIP services – which allow customers to receive and make calls over the traditional phone network – must provide 911 service. However 911 calls made with VoIP will be treated in a different way to 911 calls made using your regular phone service.
- Portability: FCC has requirements to interconnect VoIP providers and telephone companies to comply with Local Number Portability (LNP) rules.
- Calling Records: FCC regulates connected VoIP providers access to the private network data of customers, including your telephone call logs. Additionally, it requires all connected VoIP providers to protect the information from public disclosure.
- Universal Service: FCC requires connected VoIP businesses to contribute towards the Universal Service Fund, which offers communication services in areas with high cost as well as to people who meet income eligibility.
- Accessibility: VoIP providers who are connected must contribute towards the Telecommunications Relay Services Fund used to offer Telecommunications services for people who suffer from speech or hearing limitations and offer abbreviated 711 calling for relay service. The service and equipment providers are required to make sure that the service is able for and usable by people with disabilities, provided that the accessibility is feasible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is VoIP Calling?
Making and receiving calls on the internet instead of phone lines using VoIP Telephone Technology, also known as VoIP VoIP (Voice Over the Internet Protocol).
Contrary to landline phones that are only available with a desk phone at workplaces, VoIP lets you make and receive business calls from your laptop, tablet or even regular smartphone (using applications) or VoIP phone that is compatible with office phones.
Where is VoIP illegal?
VoIp is not Illegal. There are a small number of countries that ban VoIP calls. At present, Bahrain, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kuwait, Mexico, North Korea, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam are the countries or regions that prohibit VoIP calls.
Should I answer a VoIP call?
Do not answer the telephone. Be aware prior to committing any transaction. If you’re unsure about who the company is calling you, you have the right to ask for clarification. Do not let yourself get overwhelmed.
What happens if I call a VoIP number?
The major distinction between VoIP and conventional phone numbers is the way they make calls. VoIP telephone numbers make use of Internet connections for making calls, while a traditional phone connects calls using standard phone lines.
