Indian authorities have launched an investigation into an app in which hundreds of Muslim women were listed for “auction” using photos taken from their social media accounts without their permission.
The Delhi police registered a case after getting a complaint from journalist Ismat Ara, whose name is listed on the Bulli Bai app.
Journalist and human rights lawyer Mariya Salim also found out on Sunday that her name was listed on the Bulli Bai app.
Hundreds of images of Muslim women were uploaded to the app on the open software development site GitHub, and users were asked to take part in an “auction.”
Just found out that I was also up on Auction. Those who are scared of us Indian Muslim women know that we will not be bowed down by your filth.
For those in the administration who took no concrete action with #SulliDeals this one is on you. Shame on you.
#BulliDeals pic.twitter.com/rqMZijqUlr
— Mariya Salim (@MariyaS87) January 2, 2022
Ongoing targeting
The app appeared to be similar to another one called “Sulli Deals” which sparked outrage about six months ago by offering users “Sulli”, a derogatory name used by right-wing social media trolls for Muslim women, as so-called “deals of the day.”
The account has been blocked by GitHub and the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) and police authorities are coordinating further action, said Information and Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Twitter.
Parliamentarian Priyanka Chaturvedi has also raised the issue with the Mumbai police.
Many social media users voiced support for the women, arguing that the purpose of targeting Muslim women is to cause physical and mental agony. Many claimed the people behind the apps are from right-wing groups.
This story first appeared on trtworld.com