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Google declines to pull controversial Saudi government app
- anigbrowl 8y agoVery unwise. Only an accident of birth separates any given Googler from being someone whose freedom is constrained by this app. This will come back to haunt them later.
- chriselles 8y agoVery interesting to see Google retain an app designed to shackle Saudi women with digital chains. While Google employees openly express discontent with Google’s involvement with US DOD projects. Gen 1 Silicon Valley was built on a foundation of US Defense funding. How much is Saudi/Qatari/Emirati sovereign wealth fund money funding the current generation of Silicon Valley? I’ve worked with numerous women from conservative islamic countries. All but onee are now settled legally in countries with considerably more freedoms for females. One is still working with the sword of Damocles dangling overhead in terms of arranged marriage. One female GSB classmate of mine is Egyptian working in Saudi Arabia in a tenuous position without a male family sponsor/guardian. Their country, their rules...... But our countries and companies, our rules. Some consistent backbone by Google would be nice to see, not just in countries where the consequences of having a backbone are minimal.
- greenyoda 8y agoEarlier discussion here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19291458 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19291458