Apple and Google have been asked to ban two BAT-BMS (battery and battery management system) smartphone applications from their respective App Stores because they feared the software could be used by the Central government to remotely disable some of the e-rickshaws.
The move follows videos on social media platforms that appeared to demonstrate getting the battery output of electric vehicles, both stationary and moving, shut down via Bluetooth, prompting serious concerns over the cybersecurity of connected EVs.
IT Secretary S. Krishnan confirmed that the applications were taken down when it came to the notice of the government in his sideline comments during the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Cybersecurity Summit.
That’s correct, “we became aware yesterday of a couple apps both of which have been removed from the app stores,” Krishnan said.
The Centre has also said it would increase the level of checks on applications like BAT-BMS prior to their release on digital marketplaces. The government has in mind to discuss with the app store operators to tighten up their vetting of software that might be a threat to security or misused, Krishnan said.
The event has raised greater concerns to the security of battery management systems in EVs and the need for more robust protections against unauthorised remote access.