Google Play and Apple Store criticized for hosting app that allows men in Saudi Arabia to track and control women's travel
The app gives the male member of the family complete right over the woman as he can track her whereabouts even if she tries to cross international borders.
The Saudi law already curbs the rights of women as they are supposed to be under a male guardian, who can exercise control over them. And now the Absher app, the Saudi Arabian app which is listed on both Google and Apple Store, has been criticized by several human rights organizations, for seemingly helping to "enforce gender apartheid" in the country. The app's description on Play Store states, "Absher is the official individuals eServices Mobile Application that provides the services of Absher portal in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia." Although the app can be sued for multiple purposes, it has in a way promoted men's dominance over women in the country as men can monitor and dictate the travel plans of the women.
