India Blocks Two Chinese Apps After E-Rickshaw Remote Shutdown Incidents
The Indian government has removed two smartphone applications from app stores following reports that they could be used to remotely disable battery-powered rickshaws, officials confirmed on Friday.
Senior information technology ministry official S. Krishnan told reporters that a 'couple of apps' had been brought to the ministry's attention and both were taken down 'from the app stores'. He did not provide further details, but local media identified the apps as 'BAT-BMS' and 'Epoch Li-ion', both developed in China.
The vulnerability affects e-rickshaws equipped with Bluetooth-enabled lithium battery packs that use unsecured battery management systems (BMS). Many such vehicles in India rely on Chinese-made components that lack basic security features, making them susceptible to interference. Vehicles running on traditional lead-acid batteries remain unaffected.
In recent days, videos circulating on social media showed individuals using the apps to connect to an e-rickshaw's battery system via Bluetooth and activate a discharge switch, cutting power to the motor and bringing the vehicle to a halt mid-ride. AFP could not independently verify whether the apps function as demonstrated in the videos.
On Thursday, Ghanshyam Kumar, an e-rickshaw driver in New Delhi, said his vehicle was stalled unexpectedly. 'In Delhi's extreme heat, I had to push it alone for six or seven kilometres to the service centre to get it fixed,' the 28-year-old told AFP. He added that passengers refused to pay the fare, and such incidents had 'increased significantly over the past week', leading to long queues at service centres.
Delhi's transport minister, Pankaj Singh, told the Press Trust of India that police would investigate the incidents. The action by the central government aligns with increasing scrutiny of Chinese technology products amid national security concerns. However, officials stressed that the move was aimed at protecting public safety and preventing disruption to essential transport services.
E-rickshaws are a popular and affordable mode of transport in Indian cities, providing livelihoods for thousands of drivers. The remote shutdown incidents have raised alarms about the security of Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices used in budget vehicles, highlighting the need for stronger cybersecurity standards in imported components.
