Government orders Apple and Google to block apps disabling Delhi e-rickshaws
Over a three-day period leading up to Friday, e-rickshaw drivers across Delhi, including near Bangla Sahib Gurdwara, Ramesh Nagar, and Chuna Mandi, had their vehicles remotely switched off by strangers exploiting Bluetooth-enabled battery management system (BMS) mobile applications. In response to the disruptions, the Union government of India directed tech giants Apple and Google on Friday to remove three of the exploitative apps from their stores.
The targeted applications—BAT-BMS, Lossigy, and Epoch Li-ion—were being used by individuals to connect to the e-rickshaws' batteries and cut their power wirelessly. The sudden shutdowns left drivers stranded and severely impacted their livelihoods.
Anu Kumar, a 20-year-old e-rickshaw driver, experienced the issue on Wednesday when his vehicle stopped dead in front of Bangla Sahib Gurdwara. After being helped to the roadside, his passengers left without paying. His vehicle shut down three more times that day and thrice on Thursday.
The disruptions have also led to instances of extortion. Kishori Kumar Jha, a 55-year-old driver in West Delhi's Ramesh Nagar, reported that young boys and people in cars had been troubling drivers. One individual demanded Rs 500 from Jha to restart his e-rickshaw.
Similarly, Mukhiya Yadav, a 24-year-old driver operating between Chuna Mandi and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, saw his daily earnings drop from Rs 1,000 to around Rs 600. Yadav reported that some individuals demanded Rs 200 or even a beer to restart his vehicle. Yadav eventually downloaded the BAT-BMS app himself to help other stranded drivers restart their vehicles.
The BAT-BMS app was originally developed by China’s Shenzhen Grenergy Technology as a legitimate utility to monitor battery charge, voltage, and temperature over Bluetooth Low Energy within a 15-meter range. However, security configurations in low-cost electric vehicles allowed unauthorized users to connect and cut battery power.
Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh stated that the Transport department is investigating the matter and the Delhi Police is conducting an inquiry. Meanwhile, Rajiv Tuli, General Secretary of the Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Society, noted that manufacturers have set up helplines and developed proprietary apps to assist affected drivers.
