Government removes Chinese mobile apps capable of bringing e-rickshaws to a halt !

New Delhi – The Union Government has directed the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store to remove two Chinese mobile apps. Following the order, the apps ‘BAT-BMS’ and ‘Epoch Li-ion’ have been removed. These two apps were allegedly being used to bring e-rickshaws plying on the roads to a halt. Many people were reportedly using these apps to remotely control e-rickshaws from anywhere and abruptly stop them while they were on the move. This had created several safety risks. Taking immediate cognisance of the matter, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology ordered the removal of both apps.

1. The ‘BAT-BMS’ app is used to control the Battery Management System (BMS). Every e-rickshaw fitted with a lithium-ion battery has a Bluetooth-enabled BMS. It has been alleged that the BAT-BMS app was being used to hack this system and immobilise the e-rickshaw.

2. Cybersecurity expert Sakshar Duggal also expressed concern over the issue. He described it as a major cybersecurity threat. He said that India has been making substantial investments in the electric vehicle (EV) sector over the past two years, and the world’s attention is now on India. However, the EV sector is still at a nascent stage. As the sector continues to grow, the challenges will also increase.

3.  According to cybersecurity experts, Battery Management Systems (BMSs) are extremely inexpensive. As a result, they often lack robust security features and stringent security standards. For this reason, their Bluetooth functionality usually remains enabled at all times. Since this system is installed in e-rickshaws, if anyone gains unauthorised access to it and remotely switches off the battery of a moving vehicle, it could create a serious hazard. This could lead to a catastrophic accident involving a moving e-rickshaw.