The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has directed Google and Apple to remove specific Chinese-origin battery management applications, including BAT-BMS, Lossigy, and Epoch Li-ion, from their respective app stores following severe safety and cybersecurity concerns.
This decisive action, confirmed on 3 July 2026, stems from viral social media videos demonstrating individuals using these apps to remotely disable moving e-rickshaws via Bluetooth. While daily wage drivers face immense disruptions to their livelihoods and passenger safety is compromised, the government is actively engaging with app store operators to enforce stricter due diligence, balancing technological oversight with public welfare.
A Digital Loophole With A Human Cost
The exploitation centres on low-cost, Bluetooth-enabled Battery Management Systems (BMS) installed in many electric three-wheelers, which often lack basic security features such as password protection.
By using these diagnostic apps, anyone within a 15-metre radius can pair with the unencrypted batteries and abruptly cut the vehicle’s power supply, bringing it to a sudden halt. Addressing the crisis on the sidelines of a CII Cybersecurity Summit, IT Secretary S. Krishnan stated, “There are a couple of apps which came to our notice yesterday, and both the apps have been taken down from the app stores.
App stores need to exercise due care; we will take it up with them to see that possibly damaging apps don’t come up.” Furthermore, Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Singh has ordered a thorough probe to ensure strict action against those exploiting this vulnerability.
From Viral Pranks To Extortion
What seemingly began as a mischievous social media trend quickly escalated into a severe crisis for daily wage earners.
In one distressing incident in Moradabad, an e-rickshaw driver broke down in tears after losing an entire day’s earnings—roughly ₹400 to ₹500—because his vehicle was remotely locked. Similarly, a social media influencer recently highlighted the plight of a stranded driver in Delhi who was forced to tie his vehicle to another just to physically move it out of traffic. Alarmingly, the misuse of this technology has even taken a criminal turn; police in Ujjain recently arrested an individual for repeatedly disabling e-rickshaws and extorting money from the unsuspecting drivers under the guise of repair fees.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Technology must serve as a tool to empower communities, not a weapon to harass the vulnerable.
The malicious exploitation of a digital loophole to disrupt the livelihoods of e-rickshaw drivers—individuals who work tirelessly to provide essential last-mile connectivity—is a stark reminder of our desperate need for digital empathy. While the government’s swift intervention is a welcome relief, it is equally vital for society to cultivate kindness and reject the normalisation of cruel pranks for viral clout. As we navigate an increasingly connected world, how can we collectively ensure that the digital tools of tomorrow are built with robust ethical safeguards to protect the most marginalised among us?
Also Read: WhatsApp’s New Feature Promised More Privacy. So Why Did India Suddenly Block Its Rollout?
