The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued notices to Google and Apple, directing them to remove seven applications from their Android and iOS app stores over their alleged misuse in remotely disabling batteries used in e-rickshaws and other electric vehicles, sources told India Today.
According to the sources, the applications were allegedly being used to remotely shut down vehicle batteries, disrupting the operation of e-rickshaws and other EVs. The government has expressed concerns that such software could be misused to immobilise vehicles without the knowledge or consent of their owners or operators.
The notices instruct both Google and Apple to delist the identified applications from their respective app stores.
Sources said the move is intended to prevent the misuse of software capable of interfering with the functioning of electric vehicle batteries and reducing potential risks for EV users.
Google and Apple had not issued any immediate response to the notices.
The government’s action stems from concerns surrounding the BAT-BMS application, a legitimate Battery Management System (BMS) monitoring app developed by Chinese company Shenzhen Grenergy Technology.
The application is designed to help users monitor Bluetooth-enabled lithium batteries by displaying battery charge, voltage, current, temperature, charging cycles and the health of individual battery cells.
It also enables users to control charging and discharging functions on compatible batteries. However, concerns over its alleged misuse to remotely disable batteries in certain e-rickshaws and other electric vehicles prompted the government’s decision to act against the app and other similar applications.
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