Google refuses to remove the controversial Saudi government app that allows men to track women

It was just earlier last week when US Reps. Jackie Speier, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and 11 others wrote a letter demanding Google and Apple to ban Absher, a Saudi Government app, that allows Saudi men to control where the women can travel. “Keeping this application in your stores allows your companies and your American employees to be accomplices in the oppression of Saudi Arabian women and migrant workers”, reads the letter written by the US reps. to Apple and Google.

However, Google has decided to keep Absher on the Google play store. Google communicated this decision to the office of representative Jackie Speier, stating that the app does not violate any agreements, reported INSIDER last week. Apple is yet to make a decision.

Absher app is based on Saudi “guardian” law and comes with features aimed to restrict women’s travel to specific airports and routes. Also, in case the woman decides to flee from the country without permission, she can get instantly caught with Absher’s automatic SMS feature. This SMS feature sends instant messages to the guardian for times when she crosses borders or makes airport check-ins without permission.

Google and Apple had decided to investigate and review the app under the rising pressure in mid-Feb when US Senator Ron Wyden had written to Apple and Google demanding them to remove Absher app from Google Play store. Apart from Wyden, Activist groups including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International had also slammed Apple and Google, earlier last month, for hosting Absher.

Speier told INSIDER that the responses from Google and Apple so far are ‘deeply unsatisfactory’. “As of today, the Absher app remains available in both the Apple App store and the Google Play Store. Facilitating the detention of women seeking asylum and fleeing abuse and control unequivocally causes harm. I will be following up on this issue with my colleagues," said Rep. Speier.