Government Orders Google, Apple to Remove Seven Apps Including BAT-BMS; Check Full List If You Have Installed

The Centre has directed Google and Apple to remove at least seven mobile applications that can allegedly be used to remotely interfere with battery-operated vehicles, following viral social media videos showing pranksters switching off e-rickshaws using their smartphones.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued notices to both app store operators, asking them to take down the identified apps after officials found they could be exploited to remotely disable batteries in e-rickshaws and other electric vehicles.

Authorities have also indicated that more such applications are under scrutiny, and any app found to facilitate unauthorised remote control of EV batteries could face similar action.

Centre Asks Google & Apple to Remove Seven Apps; Check If You Have Any Installed

According to government officials, the apps identified so far include:

BAT-BMS
SMART BMS
LOSSIGY
Four other battery management applications currently under government review

Users who own electric vehicles, particularly e-rickshaws or aftermarket lithium battery packs, are advised to check whether any of these applications are installed on their smartphones. If you do use a battery management app, verify that it comes from your battery manufacturer and that the battery system has proper security protections enabled.

Why Is the Government Blocking These Apps?

Officials have clarified that battery management apps themselves are not illegal. In fact, they are widely used across the electric vehicle industry to monitor battery performance, charging status, voltage, temperature, current flow and overall battery health.

The concern arises when certain battery packs allow Bluetooth connectivity without strong authentication or password protection. In such cases, an application designed for battery monitoring could allegedly be misused to gain deeper control over the battery system, including interfering with battery discharge or remotely disabling the vehicle.

Rather than the apps alone, the government's focus is on preventing misuse of insecure battery management systems that could compromise public safety.

Viral E-Rickshaw Videos Prompt Government Action

The issue gained nationwide attention after several videos surfaced on social media showing individuals remotely switching off e-rickshaws through mobile applications while standing nearby. The clips quickly went viral, raising concerns among drivers, fleet operators and passengers about the security of battery-operated vehicles.

For thousands of e-rickshaw drivers, such incidents are more than just a prank. Many depend on daily earnings and operate rented vehicles. A remotely disabled battery could leave them stranded for hours, resulting in lost income and inconvenience to passengers.

The incident has also highlighted broader cybersecurity concerns surrounding connected electric vehicle technologies as India rapidly expands EV adoption.

Government May Expand Action Against Similar Apps

The Centre has indicated that the current list of seven apps may not be the last. Officials said similar applications are being examined, and any software found capable of enabling unauthorised interference with battery-operated vehicles could also be removed.

Earlier, MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan confirmed that the issue had come to the government's notice and said two such applications had already been removed from app stores. He added that the ministry would continue engaging with Google, Apple and other stakeholders to ensure potentially risky applications are taken down promptly.

What Is a Battery Management System (BMS)?

A Battery Management System (BMS) is an essential component of every lithium-ion battery pack used in electric vehicles. It continuously monitors battery voltage, current, temperature, charging cycles and overall battery health while protecting the battery against overcharging, overheating, excessive discharge and other operational risks.

Many manufacturers also provide companion smartphone apps that allow owners to monitor these battery parameters in real time through Bluetooth connectivity.

However, cybersecurity experts note that if such systems lack adequate authentication, encryption or password protection, they may become vulnerable to unauthorised access.

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