Modern Slavery in Saudi Arabia

Modern slavery is a serious issue that affects millions of people around the world, and Saudi Arabia is no exception. Recently, reports have emerged of a new form of slavery taking place in the country through the use of a smartphone app. There are some apps, known as "Absher," and Haraj which are a government-created platform that allows Saudi men to monitor and control the movements of their domestic workers, including women from countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines, and Nepal.

The apps, which are officially endorsed by the Saudi government and can be downloaded on Google Play and the Apple Store, have been used to prevent domestic workers from leaving their employers, even in cases of abuse and  exploitation. These apps also allow employers to set "permission" for their domestic workers to leave the country, which means that the workers cannot leave Saudi Arabia without the approval of their employer. 

The use of these apps has been criticized by human rights organizations, who argue that it undermines the rights of domestic workers and perpetuates the system of exploitation and abuse that is all too common in Saudi Arabia. Human Rights Watch has urged the Saudi government to remove the "guardianship" system that underpin the apps, and to put in place measures to protect the rights of domestic workers. 

The Saudi government has not yet publicly commented on this issue, but the issue of human rights and exploitation of domestic workers are not new topics in Saudi Arabia. For years, the country has been criticized for its treatment of domestic workers, who are often subject to poor working conditions, abuse, and long working hours with little to no legal protection. 

Moreover, companies like Google and Apple have been called out for allowing these kinds of apps to be available in their platforms, despite the evidence of its abuse potential. They are being held responsible for enabling and facilitating this type of exploitation. 

The use of modern technology in order to control and abuse people is a disturbing trend, and it highlights the need for governments and tech companies alike to take responsibility for ensuring that technology is used for the betterment of society and not to perpetuate human rights abuses. The international community is looking forward to the new Saudi government. Under Muhammad Bin Suleman, who has already introduced many reforms, to bring better policies for the workers in Saudi Arabia.