Government Orders Apple, Google to Remove Seven Chinese Battery Apps Over Security Risks
Indian authorities have instructed Apple and Google to pull seven Chinese battery management applications from their stores after discovering they were being misused to remotely disable e-rickshaws and other battery-operated vehicles, creating serious safety and security concerns.
The Indian government has taken decisive action against foreign technology by ordering Apple and Google to remove seven Chinese battery management applications from their digital stores, marking a significant crackdown on data security threats linked to vehicle control systems.
The directive specifically targets apps including BAT-BMS and six others that were identified as being misused for remote interference with battery-operated vehicles. The apps were exploited to remotely disable e-rickshaws and other battery-powered transport modes, causing major operational disruptions for drivers across the country. Authorities acted after discovering that these applications posed serious security and control risks beyond their stated battery management functions.
This government intervention represents the first major regulatory action addressing concerns about foreign apps being weaponised for remote interference with critical vehicle infrastructure. The discovery that these Chinese-developed applications could be used to remotely incapacitate battery-operated vehicles raised alarm bells within security agencies, who flagged the potential for widespread disruption to urban transport and livelihoods of e-rickshaw operators and drivers. The apps had been accessible through both Apple's App Store and Google Play Store, making them easily downloadable by unknowing users.
The implications of this action are significant for India's growing e-rickshaw and electric vehicle ecosystem. E-rickshaw drivers, who rely on their vehicles as their primary income source, faced unexpected shutdowns when the battery management systems were remotely disabled. This threat not only affected individual livelihoods but also raised broader questions about national security and the vulnerability of India's transport infrastructure to foreign interference.
Authorities have signalled that this removal is just the beginning of a more comprehensive security review. The government has indicated that further app bans are anticipated if similar security vulnerabilities or misuse patterns emerge in the coming weeks and months. This development underscores New Delhi's growing vigilance toward Chinese technology platforms and their potential for surveillance, data theft, or operational sabotage. The action aligns with India's broader push to scrutinise foreign digital applications and protect national security interests in the technology sector.
