Indian Government Removes Apps Linked to Remote E-Rickshaw Shutdowns Amid Cybersecurity Concerns

The Centre on Friday said two smartphone applications linked to reports of remote shutdowns of e-rickshaws had been removed from app stores after they came to the government’s notice. The clarification came amid reports that some e-rickshaws could be remotely disabled through the Chinese application BAT-BMS, triggering concerns over cybersecurity risks associated with internet-connected vehicle management systems. Confirming the action, Information Technology Secretary S. Krishnan said the government had acted after the apps were identified. “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,” Krishnan said on the sidelines of a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Cybersecurity Summit. He said app stores must exercise due diligence before hosting applications and added that the government would take up the matter with them to ensure that potentially harmful apps are not made available. The issue came into focus on Thursday after reports and videos surfaced claiming that some e-rickshaws were being rendered inoperable through a remote shutdown feature linked to the BAT-BMS application. The reports prompted concerns over the cybersecurity implications of internet-connected vehicle management systems.