By AFPMore by this AuthorRIYADH,Saudi Arabia on Saturday defended a mobile app that allows men in the kingdom to track female relatives after rights groups and a US lawmaker criticised tech giants for offering it. The free app is available on Android and Apple smartphones and allows users to renew passports, visas and eases a variety of other electronic services. But critics have said the app enables abuse against women and girls by allowing men to track their movements. Under Saudi law, women must have consent from a husband or immediate male relative to renew passports or leave the country. The ministry criticised what it called a "systematic campaign aimed at questioning the purpose of the services".

Source: Daily Nation February 16, 2019 21:11 UTC