Centre Bans Two Chinese Apps That Remotely Halt E-Rickshaws in Delhi

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) has ordered the removal of two mobile applications—BAT BMS and Epoch Li-ion—from both the Android Play Store and Apple App Store. The decision follows reports that these apps were being misused to remotely disable e-rickshaws in Delhi, causing vehicles to suddenly stop while in motion.

The two apps are battery management systems that connect via Bluetooth to lithium-ion batteries. While they are designed to monitor battery parameters such as voltage, temperature, and current, their control functions lack adequate authentication. This flaw allows users to remotely cut power to the battery, bringing the e-rickshaw to an abrupt halt. The driver cannot restart the vehicle unless the same app is used to re-enable the power.

MEITY Secretary S. Krishnan confirmed the removal, stating that the government had noticed the issue and acted swiftly. "That is right...there are a couple of apps, which came to our notice yesterday and both of them have been taken down from the app stores," he said on the sidelines of a CII Cybersecurity summit. He added that the government will raise the matter with app stores to prevent similar potentially harmful applications from appearing in the public domain.

The misuse of these apps has caused significant distress for e-rickshaw drivers, who rely on their vehicles for livelihood. A senior Delhi government official noted that the apps' lack of password protection or authentication makes them easy to exploit. "There is no password or authentication. As a result, cutting the power output and bringing the vehicle to a sudden halt becomes easy," the official explained.

E-rickshaws, locally known as 'tirris', are a common mode of transport in Delhi. Drivers have reported incidents where unknown individuals connected to their batteries via Bluetooth and disabled the vehicle, often as a prank. However, the consequences are serious: drivers face not only lost income but also potential accidents and traffic disruptions.

The government's action aims to protect public safety and uphold the rights of drivers. By removing the apps, the Centre has demonstrated its commitment to regulating technology that could be misused. This case highlights the need for stronger authentication measures in devices connected to critical vehicle systems.

The removal of BAT BMS and Epoch Li-ion is a step towards preventing such misuse. The government continues to monitor the situation and will take further action if necessary to ensure that digital tools do not compromise physical safety.