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Yes. The app makes it much more difficult for women to subvert the oppression. Before the app the government used little paper slips to grant travel permission, now the "guardians" get SMS notifications when a woman's passport is scanned.
So, how will getting rid of an app stop the SMS notification system?
They let you download the app... but they do NOT host the service. That's run by the Ministry of Interior. EDIT: I had a paragraph below this saying the laws were really the problem and would still exist without the app.. but I forgot one key point: how easy it was to subvert the system before the app existed. I've removed that section. I fully support removing the app from the app stores and forcing SA to go back to…
Saudi Arabia needs to be shunned by the rest of the world for all its barbaric practices. Truly an awful government with repugnant laws.
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This is a great idea. But outside of this would anyone be interested in meeting up at tech companies and protesting?
For what? So Apple removes the app from the store. Does that materially impact Saudi Arabi's institutional oppression of women?
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Same here, I didn't realize that Saudi Arabia was a huge investor. That sickens me.
Don't worry, they own some Lyft too.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Yes. The app makes it much more difficult for women to subvert the oppression. Before the app the government used little paper slips to grant travel permission, now the "guardians" get SMS notifications when a woman's passport is scanned.
So, how will getting rid of an app stop the SMS notification system?
I can’t believe that Lyft doesn’t cover the Bay Area with billboards that say “Saudi Arabia beats women and owns 10% of Uber.” “Saudi Arabia murders gay people and owns 10% of Uber.” “Saudi Arabia crucified two people last year and owns 10% of Uber.”
They can't because Saudi Arabia also owns part of Lyft (2.3%): https://www.reuters.com/article/lyft-kingdom-holding-ma/saud...
70% of the mobile devices in Saudi Arabia run Android.
Outcome 1- Apple bans Absher but Google does not. Absher usage continues. Android gains market share over time.
Outcome 2- Apple and Google both ban Absher. Android users install it via sideload from the government website. Carriers preload the sideloaded Absher app onto new phones. Absher usage continues. Android market share grows over time.
I don't see a victory here other than taking a moral stance.
"Apple and Google accused of hosting Saudi gov't app that tracks women " is a weird phrasing. It's absolutely, 100% verifiably true they host it, as the article plainly states: > Both Google Play and iTunes host Absher, a government web service that allows men to specify when and how women can cross Saudi borders, and to get close to real-time SMS updates when they travel.