Chinese App That Could Stop E-Rickshaws Mid-Ride: Why the Government Ordered Its Removal
Central Government has issued an order to remove certain Chinese battery management apps from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store because there have been allegations that the same is being used to remotely shut off the working of the e-rickshaw and other battery-operated vehicles. This was done because there were videos circulating on social media which showed people using the above apps to stop a moving vehicle.
This has once again brought into question the cybersecurity of connected electric vehicles and battery management systems using Bluetooth.
Which Apps Were Removed?
Apps like BAT-BMS, SMART BMS, Lossigy, and Epoch Li-ion/Epoch-i-ion have been ordered by government authorities to be taken down due to concerns about their misuse. Initially developed for monitoring and managing lithium-ion batteries, it is said that these apps were misused to disrupt the operations of e-rickshaws without any security protocols.
The government officials have even requested the app providers to be more careful in the future while listing such apps.
How Could the Apps Stop an E-Rickshaw?
These applications reportedly interfaced with compatible BMS through the Bluetooth protocol. For some batteries that did not have any form of password protection or security in place, anyone within the Bluetooth range could connect with the battery and trigger the discharge control, thus causing the power source to be disconnected from the vehicle.
Thus, the e-rickshaw could be rendered useless at once, sometimes even mid-way on the road. Drivers in many such cases had difficulty restarting their vehicle until the battery was unlocked using the same application.
Why Did the Government Step In?
This was not just taken as an attempt at pranking by the government. A car suddenly stopping in the middle of traffic can pose risks for both passengers and drivers.
After several complaints, the government ordered Google and Apple to immediately remove these apps from their respective app stores through the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology. MeitY has also said that similar apps will come under greater scrutiny henceforth.
Why Was This a Cybersecurity Concern?
Contrary to traditional mobile applications, these battery management apps had an effect on the hardware controlling the car’s power supply system.
It has become clear that the problem is not in the application but in some battery management systems that lack authentication and therefore have unauthorized Bluetooth connections available for anyone to use.
The incident has shed light on the necessity to adopt more rigorous cybersecurity standards in connected electric vehicles and batteries.
What Does This Mean for E-Rickshaw Drivers?
Several motorists claimed that they incurred financial losses after their cars stopped abruptly. In the first place, several people thought that the issue was related to a faulty battery and wasted money in making unnecessary repairs before realizing what was wrong with the use of the applications.
Moreover, the case has led to increased attention from manufacturers regarding security measures for the coming battery management system.
Could Other Electric Vehicles Be Affected?
While all the reported cases involved e-rickshaws, the experts have stated that any Bluetooth-enabled batteries lacking proper authentication can be subject to similar threats.
As a result, there has been an appeal made to manufacturers in order to implement better password protection and encryption.
What Should Vehicle Owners Do?
Owners of electric vehicles should update their battery management system software to the most recent version, use password protection where applicable, not pair with unknown devices, and reach out to the manufacturer of their battery in case of any Bluetooth hacking.
Security measures from the manufacturers need to be enhanced in order to prevent such situations in the future.
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Conclusion
This ban on the Chinese battery management apps represents a huge change in how India thinks about digital security. It is not just an issue of privacy anymore; it is about applications which can interfere in physical infrastructure and public safety.
As the number of connected cars increase in the world, cybersecurity will become as important as mechanical safety.
It is a wake-up call for the government that any loophole in software can create serious problems in real life. An app used to manage battery of mobiles can become a threat to public safety.
