Google's business practices have always concerned me. I've expressed it here. I've expressed it with my U.S. Federal customers who use the Google platform. I'm no fan. Yes I have a gmail address but I have nothing to hide or be embarrassed about in the content that is in my email treads.
More evidence of their frustrating business practices were revealed this week. How would you write your corporate security policy to address a scenario where a very angry husband bursts into your business establishment demanding to see his wife because, as he is looking at his device and jamming his finger into to it pointing, says "I know she is here!"
This app certainly does look to be coercive. I’m not a fan of Google, but you could say that being a fan of any big corporation misses the point, do apply have anything similar on their store?
If you read the article, the app is ALSO in the Apple Store. Says that "Apple has said it is still reviewing the app".
So no response as yet from Apple on this.
They’re about ready for a Sheryl Sandberg style everything on the table monetisation sprint... they are just worried about triangulating the fallout of any shadyness.
I would reply, "No. All you know is that her phone is here. She may well have left the premises and forgot her phone." Which would be followed up by "The police have been called and are on their way."
I don't want it to look like I'm defending Google, but being based in KSA, I can provide some info on the app. Absher essentially facilitates services that can be availed of on the site www.moi.gov.sa --- relative to your Residence permit, ID, visa, passport, license, etc. I've used it primarily to retrieve info and ensure my details are valid --- which is of importance since I'm an expat.
(For example, should the sponsoring company inform me that they've renewed my residence permit, I won't just take their word for it but will verify it, either on the website or using the app.)
As for it violating women's rights, the fact is there aren't many of those here in the 1st place. If you look at the legal system here you'll see that women tend to be treated as minors & are under 'guardianship' of their male relatives, so even if the app isn't allowed on Google Play Store & Apple Store, it isn't gong to make much of a difference since the website can still be used.
Remotely related to this: Most countries require that non-citizens obtain a visa to enter --- KSA takes it further by mandating that you get a visa to leave. This has to be approved either by a sponsor or --- in the case of a lady --- by a husband / father. I was whining about this to someone in HR, and he was like: Look on the bright side --- if you get your wife here, she'll never be able to leave you...
Look on the bright side --- if you get your wife here, she'll never be able to leave you...
Nope, sorry, I don't find it funny ...