The Indian government has directed Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store to remove two smartphone applications—BAT-BMS and Epoch Li-ion—following viral social media videos that raised concerns about Bluetooth-enabled disruptions to e-rickshaw battery systems.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued the directive after videos surfaced showing individuals allegedly using Bluetooth to connect to nearby e-rickshaw batteries and cut off their power supply. While there is no evidence that the apps could remotely stop moving e-rickshaws, authorities acted preemptively to address public safety concerns.
MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan announced the removal at the CII Cybersecurity Summit on July 3, stating that both apps were taken down due to potential misuse. The apps, developed by Chinese company Shenzhen Grenergy Technology (BAT-BMS) and others (Epoch Li-ion), were designed for monitoring lithium-ion battery parameters such as voltage, current, temperature, and charging cycles.
However, a feature called Lossigy in BAT-BMS allows users to toggle the battery’s discharge function on or off via the app. Although intended as a safety measure, experts warn that weak security settings in many low-cost electric vehicle battery management systems—such as no password protection or default credentials—could allow anyone within Bluetooth range to connect and potentially disrupt operations.
Cybersecurity specialists emphasize that the core issue is not the monitoring functionality itself but the inadequate security configurations of the battery systems. They recommend stronger authentication and encryption to prevent unauthorized access.