New Delhi: Amid reports that e-rickshaws could be remotely shut down through the Chinese smartphone application BAT-BMS, the government of India on Friday said two such apps had come to its notice and have since been removed from app stores.
IT Secretary S Krishnan asserted that app stores must exercise due diligence and said the government would take up the matter with them to ensure that potentially harmful apps are not made available.
Confirming that action had been taken, Krishnan said, "That is right… There are a couple of apps that came to our notice yesterday, and both of them have been taken down from the app stores."
He was speaking on the sidelines of the CII Cybersecurity Summit.
The issue drew public attention on Thursday after reports surfaced that some e-rickshaws were being rendered inoperable through a remote shutdown feature linked to the Chinese smartphone application BAT-BMS.
Videos of the alleged incidents sparked widespread concern over the cybersecurity risks posed by internet-connected vehicle management systems.
How do battery management apps work?
According to reports, some lithium-ion battery packs used in e-rickshaws are equipped with Bluetooth-enabled Battery Management Systems (BMS) that allow users to monitor battery health through dedicated mobile applications.
Cybersecurity experts say certain battery systems lack adequate authentication, allowing anyone within Bluetooth range to connect to the system and disable the battery's discharge function, causing the vehicle to come to an abrupt halt.
Older lead-acid battery-powered e-rickshaws are generally not affected.
Auto drivers in panic
Many e-rickshaw drivers operating along Delhi's busy Metro corridors say they are living in fear after a smartphone application allegedly began shutting down their vehicles in the middle of the road without warning, leaving them stranded in moving traffic and exposing passengers to the risk of serious accidents.
Drivers operating on some of Delhi's busiest routes told PTI that an unexpected shutdown on arterial roads could prove fatal, as vehicles often travel close behind e-rickshaws, leaving little time to react.
Shree Ram, who ferries passengers between Punjabi Bagh West Metro Station and Peeragarhi Metro Station, said the route witnesses heavy traffic throughout the day, with e-rickshaws frequently stopping to pick up passengers at both ends.
"I have heard that several e-rickshaws suddenly stopped on the main road. When a vehicle comes to a halt in the middle of traffic, it becomes dangerous because speeding vehicles approach from behind," Ram said.
He added that the situation could turn fatal for both passengers and drivers.
"We constantly fear that someone may ram into us from behind," he said.
Ankush Kumar, who operates between West Enclave and Pitampura, said he initially believed the repeated shutdowns were caused by a battery malfunction.
"My e-rickshaw kept switching off. I thought there was a battery fault and spent ₹500 to get it checked, but no defect was found. Later, I learned that everything was happening because of this Chinese app. When the vehicle stops, passengers refuse to pay and simply board another e-rickshaw. What may look like a joke to some people has become life-threatening for us on the road," he said.
Kumar said drivers were not only suffering financial losses but were also under constant mental stress while navigating congested traffic.
