In a decisive move to bolster national cybersecurity, the central government has ordered the immediate removal of two Chinese applications—BAT-BMS—from all major app stores. These applications were found to possess the alarming capability to remotely shut down e-rickshaws, raising significant concerns over the security of India’s growing electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. Following reports of these apps being used to immobilize vehicles on public roads, authorities acted swiftly to prevent further exploitation of internet-connected vehicle management systems.
Government Confirms Ban on Malicious Apps
The crackdown was officially confirmed by IT Secretary S. Krishnan during the CII Cyber Security Summit held in the capital. Addressing the issue, Krishnan stated, “It is true; we became aware of these applications yesterday, and both have now been removed from app stores.” The government has emphasized that app store platforms must exercise extreme caution to prevent the proliferation of such harmful software. Moving forward, the Centre plans to engage in stringent discussions with app store operators to ensure that applications posing threats to public safety or national security are identified and barred from distribution.
How the Remote Shutdown Feature Posed a Risk
The incident gained national attention after viral reports surfaced showing e-rickshaws in Delhi being abruptly stopped while in motion. Investigations revealed that these vehicles were linked to the Chinese smartphone application ‘BAT-BMS’, which utilizes a remote shutdown feature. This capability, designed for vehicle management, was being weaponized, creating an unprecedented cybersecurity risk for e-rickshaw operators and passengers alike. The ability of an external entity to remotely control or immobilize a moving vehicle on city streets presents a critical vulnerability that the government is now prioritizing to eliminate.
A Call for Stricter Cybersecurity Standards
This event has ignited a broader conversation regarding the safety standards of connected vehicle technology in India. As the country accelerates its transition to electric mobility, the reliance on IoT (Internet of Things) and cloud-linked vehicle management systems continues to rise. The government’s swift response serves as a stern warning to developers and third-party service providers that any technology compromising user safety or national digital infrastructure will face zero tolerance. Authorities are now expected to conduct a comprehensive audit of similar management apps to ensure the integrity of the Indian EV ecosystem.
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