Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and a women's rights activist urged Apple and Google reconsider hosting the app, adding that the two tech giants did not respond to its requests for comment
Apple and Google are facing criticism from human rights activists for hosting an app that allows men in Saudi Arabia to track and control women's movements. According to a report in Insider on Friday, the app called "Absher" allows men to give women permission to travel, and also get SMS when a woman uses her passport at the border.
For making the apps available on Google Play and Apple's App Store, the US-based tech giants have been accused of facilitating misogyny and helping "enforce gender apartheid".
ADVERTISEMENT
Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and a women's rights activist urged Apple and Google reconsider hosting the app, adding that the two tech giants did not respond to its requests for comment. Under Saudi law, it is essential for women to have a legal "guardian" who can restrict her travel. While Absher - a government service- offers other functions like paying parking fines, its travel features have been targeted by activists.
Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
