Govt Cracks Down on Apps Linked to E-Rickshaw Remote Shutdown

New Delhi, Jul 3: The Centre on Friday said two mobile applications linked to reports of remotely disabling e-rickshaws have been removed from app stores after the issue came to the government’s notice.

IT Secretary S. Krishnan said the government acted after reports surfaced that e-rickshaws could allegedly be remotely shut down through the Chinese smartphone application BAT-BMS, raising concerns over cybersecurity and public safety.

Confirming the action, Krishnan said two such applications were identified and taken down from app stores after they came to the government’s notice.

Speaking on the sidelines of a CII Cybersecurity Summit, he said app stores must exercise due diligence and assured that the government would engage with them to ensure potentially harmful applications are not made available to users.

The issue gained widespread attention on Thursday after videos circulated online alleging that some e-rickshaws were being rendered inoperable through a remote shutdown feature linked to the BAT-BMS application.

The reports triggered concerns over the cybersecurity risks associated with internet-connected vehicle management systems. (Agencies)