NEW DELHI — The Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) sent a formal notice on Tuesday to technology firms and app marketplaces, urging the removal of any mobile applications that can remotely deactivate electric vehicles (EVs) without the owner’s consent. The directive, cited in a press release circulated to media outlets, reflects growing concerns that certain third‑party apps could be exploited to immobilise EVs, potentially compromising driver safety and vehicle security.
The notice, addressed to major app stores operating in India, references a recent internal review that identified “a subset of applications” with the capability to send commands to vehicle control units via internet‑based interfaces. While the review did not name specific apps, officials indicated that the functionality could be misused for theft, harassment, or sabotage.
“The safety of EV users is paramount,” MeitY Secretary Anupam Mishra said in a statement. “Any software that can override a vehicle’s operational controls without explicit user authorization poses an unacceptable risk and must be eliminated from the Indian digital ecosystem.”
The government’s action follows a series of incidents reported in the past year involving EVs being remotely disabled, including a high‑profile case in Mumbai where a driver’s car stopped abruptly on a highway after a suspected hack, prompting a police investigation. Industry groups have warned that the rapid growth of connected vehicle technologies outpaces existing regulatory frameworks.
Analysis: The ministry’s move underscores a broader regulatory push to tighten oversight of the Internet of Things (IoT) and connected automotive platforms. By targeting apps that can interface with vehicle control systems, the government aims to pre‑empt potential cyber‑physical threats that could be leveraged by criminal elements or hostile state actors. The directive also aligns with India’s upcoming “Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure” guidelines, which are expected to impose stricter compliance requirements on manufacturers and software providers.
For app developers, compliance will likely involve auditing codebases for any vehicle‑control APIs and disabling or removing such features unless they are part of a certified, manufacturer‑approved solution. Failure to comply could result in removal from app stores, fines, or further legal action under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2023.
The EV industry has welcomed the precautionary step but cautions that over‑broad restrictions could hinder legitimate innovations, such as remote diagnostics and over‑the‑air updates that improve vehicle performance and safety. Trade bodies have called for a clear regulatory framework that distinguishes between authorized manufacturer services and unauthorized third‑party tools.
The notice gives app marketplaces a 30‑day window to comply, after which MeitY will conduct follow‑up inspections. Stakeholders are expected to submit compliance reports to the ministry’s cyber‑security cell.
Sources
Indian Express, “India news highlights, 3 July 2026: Centre asks to remove apps being used to remotely disable electric vehicles,” https://indianexpress.com/article/india/today-india-breaking-news-live-updates-3-july-2026-thane-electrocution-mumbai-orange-alert-ram-temple-theft-10769169/
Story synopsis gathered from: Indian Express – India — source
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