India Orders E-Rickshaw BMS App Removal, But Several Remain on Stores
India's government ordered the removal of several e-rickshaw Battery Management System (BMS) apps on July 3rd due to alleged misuse enabling remote disabling of vehicles. However, multiple such applications remain available on app stores.
The Indian government has directed app stores to remove multiple mobile applications designed to manage e-rickshaw Battery Management Systems (BMS). These apps are reportedly being misused to remotely disable the vehicles, according to a written reply to the Lok Sabha on July 22nd, which stated the removal order was issued on July 3rd.
The controversy surfaced following social media videos demonstrating how individuals could remotely disable e-rickshaws using smartphone apps connected via Bluetooth to the BMS units. The issue is believed to stem from aftermarket battery systems lacking basic security features like default passwords or authentication.
The government did not disclose whether it had identified responsible parties or if it plans to introduce mandatory cybersecurity standards for such systems. Instead, it highlighted existing frameworks like CERT-In and the National Cyber Security Coordinator (NCSC).
A check by MediaNama revealed that three specific apps—BAT-BMS, Epoch-i-ion, and Lossigy—were still available on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store despite the government's directive. Furthermore, several other applications offering similar Bluetooth-based BMS control functions were also identified on both platforms.