New Delhi — The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has instructed app‑store operators to pull three smartphone applications, including the Chinese‑origin “BAT‑BMS” app, following complaints that the tools were being exploited to shut down electric rickshaws (e‑rickshaws) in India.
The apps in question are battery‑management utilities that communicate with e‑rickshaw battery packs via Bluetooth. According to MeitY, investigators found that the Bluetooth connections were unsecured, allowing malicious actors to send commands that disabled the vehicles’ power systems. The ministry said the apps were “being misused” to remotely turn off e‑rickshaws, causing inconvenience and potential safety hazards for drivers and passengers.
MeitY’s order, reported by the Times of India, directs all major app‑store platforms to remove the identified applications from their listings and to strengthen vetting procedures for future battery‑management software. The notice also urges developers to implement robust authentication and encryption for Bluetooth communications to prevent similar exploits.
The removal targets three apps in total, though only the BAT‑BMS app has been singled out as having a Chinese origin. The other two apps, whose names were not disclosed, are also battery‑management tools used by e‑rickshaw operators. The ministry has not announced any penalties for the app developers, but it warned that continued non‑compliance could lead to further regulatory action.
Industry observers note that India’s e‑rickshaw market, which has grown rapidly in urban centers, relies heavily on low‑cost battery solutions, many of which are sourced from overseas manufacturers. The incident highlights broader concerns about the security of IoT‑enabled transport devices and the need for stricter oversight of software that interfaces with critical vehicle components.
Analysis: The government’s swift action reflects heightened scrutiny of Chinese technology amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and domestic security concerns. By focusing on the insecure Bluetooth protocols rather than the apps’ origin alone, authorities are signaling that the primary risk lies in inadequate cybersecurity standards. The directive may push Indian e‑rickshaw manufacturers and fleet operators to adopt more secure battery management solutions, potentially favoring domestic or vetted foreign vendors that can demonstrate compliance with Indian data‑security norms. However, the lack of detailed information about the other two apps and the absence of public investigation reports leave open questions about the scale of the vulnerability and whether similar exploits could exist in other vehicle‑control applications.
Sources
– Times of India, “Centre removes BAT‑BMS linked apps from app stores after e‑rickshaw remote shutdown reports,” https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/centre-removes-bat-bms-linked-apps-from-app-stores-after-e-rickshaw-remote-shutdown-reports/articleshow/132155150.cms
Story synopsis gathered from: Times of India – Top Stories — source
Corrections
If you believe this article contains an error, contact Herald Express with the source URL and supporting evidence.
