China-linked app that stops moving e-rickshaws banned in India:Action taken after ‘Tirri Trend’ prank video; miscreants used Bluetooth to switch off batteries

The central government has ordered the removal of two mobile apps, including ‘BAT-BMS’, which became a problem for e-rickshaw drivers in many cities, including Delhi, from app stores. The IT Ministry gave this information on Friday. However, both apps are still available on the Play Store. Recently, complaints were received that some people were connecting to e-rickshaw batteries via Bluetooth with the help of these apps. After this, they would shut down moving e-rickshaws. This caused many vehicles to stop in the middle of the road. Videos of these incidents are viral. Actually, the Bluetooth management system of some e-rickshaw lithium batteries lacked a password or had weak security, which is why the app connected to it. Car or scooter battery systems have strong security and encryption, which is why no ordinary app can connect to them.

Question 1: What exactly is the BAT-BMS app that is going viral on social media? Answer: ‘BAT-BMS’ is a real-time battery management tool. It has been developed by the Chinese company ‘Shenzhen Grenergy Technology’. The main function of this app is to monitor Bluetooth-enabled lithium batteries. This app displays essential information such as battery charge level, voltage, temperature, and cell health. In other words, it’s like a digital dashboard for the battery. Question 2: How does this app work, and how are people able to stop moving e-rickshaws with it? Answer: This is not a very high-tech hack, but rather exploiting a simple security lapse. This app has a ‘remote cut-off’ feature, which can be used to turn the battery discharge (power supply) on or off. When a person comes within 10 to 15 meters of the e-rickshaw (Bluetooth range) and connects to the vehicle’s battery via this app, they turn off the discharge function. This immediately cuts off the power supplied to the motor, and the e-rickshaw stops. Question 3: Can all e-rickshaws or electric vehicles in the country be stopped using this app? Answer: No. Contrary to the fear spreading on social media, not all e-rickshaws are at risk. This app only affects vehicles that meet certain specific conditions. Question 3: Which e-rickshaws are completely safe from the effects of this app? Answer: A large number of e-rickshaws in India still run on old lead-acid batteries, which do not have Bluetooth or a digital management system. Therefore, these e-rickshaws are completely safe from these apps. Additionally, lithium batteries whose Bluetooth systems have a strong password set by the manufacturer or dealer cannot be accessed through this app either. Question 4: For what purpose did the Chinese company create these apps? Were they for e-rickshaws? Answer: No, the company did not create these apps to control e-rickshaws. Its main purpose was to monitor the health of lithium batteries installed in solar energy devices and in the batteries of boats or ships. The discharge on/off feature of these apps was provided for safety and maintenance, so that the battery owner could cut power if needed. However, in India, it started being used to remotely shut down e-rickshaw batteries. Also read: NASA’s Artemis II breaks agency streaming record: Launch becomes agency’s most-watched livestream ever with 3.66 million viewers

Question 5: What impact is this having on e-rickshaw drivers and road safety? Answer: In the viral video, people are seen stopping e-rickshaws to ‘take revenge’ for bad driving or just for entertainment, but in reality, it has become a problem for the drivers. When an e-rickshaw suddenly stops in the middle of traffic, there is a risk of collision with vehicles coming from behind. Additionally, e-rickshaw drivers’ time is wasted, and their earnings are affected. Question 6: Who is actually responsible for this major security lapse? Answer: Primarily, local battery assemblers, dealers, and some low-cost lithium battery makers are responsible for this. In India’s market for cheap e-rickshaw parts, many such lithium batteries are being sold whose Bluetooth Battery Management Systems are left open without any password or with a default password. This is exactly like someone leaving their main house door open for anyone to enter. Question 7: What is the solution to fix this security flaw? Answer: Its solution is straightforward. Vehicle dealers and manufacturers must ensure that they set a strong and unique password in the battery management system before selling vehicles to customers. If a password is set, no outsider will be able to connect to the app even if they are within Bluetooth range. Additionally, drivers who already have such batteries can go to the dealer and get a password lock set in their battery’s BMS settings. Question 8: Is any action being taken by the administration or the government in this matter? Answer: Yes, S. Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, has announced that two suspicious applications have been removed from app stores following concerns about remotely shutting down e-rickshaws. This includes the controversial ‘BAT-BMS’ app. Earlier, after an increase in complaints and videos going viral on social media, the Delhi Transport Department had initiated an investigation against ‘BAT-BMS’ as well as another similar application, ‘Epoch Li-ion’. Question 9: What further steps can the Transport Department take to prevent this problem? Answer: Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Singh and senior officials of the department are seriously reviewing the severity of this technical flaw and security threat. The government is considering what kind of restrictions or regulations can be imposed on these insecure Battery Management System apps to prevent unauthorized use, ensuring the safety of commuters and drivers. Also read: After WhatsApp, Telegram faces notice over username feature: Government asks what steps are being taken to prevent the risk of cyber crimes

Knowledge Part: What is BMS? BMS stands for Battery Management System. It is the ‘brain’ of a lithium battery. Its job is to protect the battery from overcharging, overheating, and short circuits. Modern batteries are equipped with Bluetooth BMS so that the driver can know through a smartphone app how charged the battery is and what its temperature is. Important tips for E-rickshaw drivers: