No, not by intercepting them on the network. WhatsApp messages are end-to-end encrypted, so UAE carriers and authorities see scrambled data in transit, not your words. That protection has limits, though, and they matter more than the encryption itself.
What encryption covers
WhatsApp says that with end-to-end encryption only the person or group you message can read it, and that applies to texts, photos, voice notes and calls. du, e&, hotel Wi-Fi operators and government monitoring at the network level can't decrypt that content.
What it doesn't cover
- Metadata. Your carrier can still see that you're using WhatsApp, when, and how much data moves. The EFF explains how metadata alone can reveal who you talk to and when.
- The device itself. If someone gets into your phone with your passcode, or it's infected with spyware, encryption doesn't help. The UAE has a documented history here: in 2016 researchers found Pegasus spyware targeting UAE activist Ahmed Mansoor through a malicious link.
- The other person. Anyone in the chat can screenshot or forward what you send.
- Backups. iCloud or Google Drive backups aren't end-to-end encrypted unless you turn that setting on in WhatsApp.
Practical steps for travelers
Keep iOS or Android updated, don't tap unexpected links, turn on encrypted backups, and lock WhatsApp with a passcode. On hotel or airport Wi-Fi, a VPN such as NordVPN hides which apps you're using from the local network, though it won't stop spyware or phishing. Using a VPN is legal in the UAE when it isn't used to reach blocked services or commit an offence.