App that listed Muslim women on sale reappears, triggers outrage
New Delhi/IBNS: Complaints about a dodgy app listing hundreds of Muslim women for sale with their photos sourced without permission from social media platforms has triggered a massive controversy.
It is very sad that as a Muslim woman you have to start your new year with this sense of fear & disgust. Of course it goes without saying that I am not the only one being targeted in this new version of #sullideals. Screenshot sent by a friend this morning.
— Ismat Ara (@IsmatAraa) January 1, 2022
Happy new year. pic.twitter.com/pHuzuRrNXR
After a massive outrage, Delhi Police said it has launched an investigation following a case filed by journalist Ismat Ara.
The matter has been taken cognizance of. Concerned officials have been directed to take appropriate action.
— #DelhiPolice (@DelhiPolice) January 1, 2022
Priyanka Chaturvedi, an MP from Maharashtra's ruling Shiv Sena, said a probe had also been launched in Mumbai.
Have spoken to @CPMumbaiPolice and DCP Crime Rashmi Karandikar ji. They will investigate this. Have also spoken to @DGPMaharashtra for intervention. Hoping those behind such misogynistic and sexist sites are apprehended. https://t.co/Ofo1l9dgIl
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) January 1, 2022
The Mumbai cyber police have begun a probe into the objectionable content on the app 'Bulli Bai', an official told news agency PTI.
Apparently, the app is a clone of Sulli Deals which led to a row last year by offering users a "Sulli" - a derogatory term used by right-wing social media trolls for Muslim women - calling them "deals of the day", according to NDTV.
It singled out Muslim women with strong social media presence.
The app seems to have been removed after being posted on the Microsoft-owned software sharing platform GitHub which allows anyone to upload an in-development app.
Removing the Sulli Bai app after complaints last time, GitHub had said, "We suspended user accounts following the investigation of reports of such activity, all of which violate our policies."
According to media reports, two First Information Reports or FIRs were filed by the Delhi and Uttar Pradesh Police in the 'Sulli Deals' controversy last year. However, no significant action was taken to nab the culprits.
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