Saudi app that lets men track women cleared for sale by Google

The app 'Absher' has been downloaded more than a million times in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

(Web Desk) – The search engine Google Inc has refused “to remove the most controversial app under Saudi government that allows men to track and control travelling of women, by stating that the application does not violate policies of its Playstore.”

Google Inc responded on the matter after a week when 14 members of Congress including Congresswomen Jackie Speier demanded the Google and Apple to remove the app called “Absher” from their app stores, on the ground of imposing restrictions of women’s independence and reinforcing the Saudi’s laws which allow men to control women’s movements.”

Both Apple Inc and Google had launched internal investigations on the app, but Google concluded in its letter that the app could not be removed from the play store as it did not violate Google’s terms of service. While Apple’s investigation continues.

The app ‘Absher’ that gives men the power to grant and rescind travel permission for women and to set up SMS alerts for when they use their passports will remain available to buy.

Under restrictive guardianship laws women cannot travel without permission from male guardians in Saudi Arabia.

The 14 members of the Congress had accused the technology giants of enabling gender discrimination – describing both companies as “accomplices in the oppression of Saudi Arabian women”.

Under Saudi Arabia’s restrictive guardianship laws, women cannot travel without permission from their male guardians, and male relatives have a final say over a woman marrying. Critics say the app serves as the practical and technological arm of the repressive rules that restrict and inhibit countless aspects of everyday life for women in the country.

Absher, which roughly translates as “yes sir”, allows men to turn on notifications that alert them with a text message any time a woman under their guardianship goes through an airport.

Absher, which has been downloaded more than one million times, also allows citizens to complete a range of bureaucratic tasks, such as renewing driver’s licences to male guardians and giving women permission to seek a job, which is legally required in Saudi Arabia. It also has features that send alerts if a woman leaves a certain area – making it difficult for women to leave without the permission of a “male guardian”.

Ilhan Omar, a Democrat elected to the House of Representatives who is one of the signatories, tweeted: “Women are not your property! Women are not your property! Women are not your property! So why are @Apple and @Google hosting an app that allows men to track and control women’s movement in Saudi Arabia? This insanity needs to end!”

Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, who sent a separate letter to Apple and Google, said: “American companies should not enable or facilitate the Saudi government’s patriarchy.”

He added: “By permitting the app in your respective stores, your companies are making it easier for Saudi men to control their family members from the convenience of their smartphones and restrict their movements. This flies in the face of the type of society you both claim to support and defend.”

Google and Apple’s decision to host the app has sparked criticism from Human Rights Watch, which said the tech companies were “facilitating human rights abuses”.

Representatives for Google and Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.