The Centre has directed Apple and Google to remove several mobile apps allegedly being misused to remotely disable battery-operated vehicles
July 3, 2026: The Centre has asked Apple and Google to remove at least seven mobile applications that can remotely disable battery-operated vehicles after videos showing pranksters stopping e-rickshaws with a smartphone gained widespread attention on social media. According to government officials, apps such as BAT-BMS, Lossigy and Epoch-i-ion connect to vulnerable Bluetooth-enabled Battery Management Systems (BMS), allowing users to switch off compatible electric vehicles during operation.
Officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) said the government is not invoking Section 69A of the Information Technology Act to block the apps. Instead, authorities are treating their continued availability as a potential legal violation that could affect the intermediary protection, or “safe harbour,” available to Apple and Google under Section 79 of the IT Act if they fail to act on official notices. The government also indicated that any other similar apps found to be misused would face similar action.
According to officials, the apps are primarily designed to monitor battery performance, including voltage, temperature and current, but can also cut power to compatible lithium-ion battery packs connected through unsecured Bluetooth-enabled BMS devices. The government has not yet clarified whether notices have been issued to the app developers or manufacturers of the affected battery systems. The matter has raised fresh concerns over cybersecurity and safety vulnerabilities in electric vehicles.