Using viral e-rickshaw app could land you in jail:Govt starts probe into BAT-BMS app, hacking may lead to 3 years in prison, Rs 5 lakh fine

Imagine you’re riding an e-rickshaw, and suddenly it stops in the middle of a busy road. No warning, no mechanical fault, just a stranger nearby using their phone. Sounds shocking, right? That’s exactly what has been happening in several viral videos circulating on social media. People have been using apps like BAT-BMS to remotely connect to certain e-rickshaws via Bluetooth and switch them off. While many online users have treated it like a harmless prank, experts and the government say it’s anything but funny. In fact, trying this hack could lead to up to three years in jail and a fine of ₹5 lakh. How are people stopping e-rickshaws? The problem lies in the Bluetooth-enabled battery systems used in some e-rickshaws. Many vehicles use Chinese-made BMS units that either have weak password protection or no password at all. If the battery is unsecured, anyone standing within Bluetooth range, usually around 10 to 15 metres, may be able to connect to it using apps like BAT-BMS. Once connected, a person can turn off the battery’s discharge function, which supplies power to the motor. As soon as that happens, the e-rickshaw can stop moving instantly. This is the same method shown in the viral videos circulating online. Why is this dangerous? Although many people are sharing these videos as jokes, the consequences can be serious. Stopping a moving vehicle in the middle of the road can increase the risk of accidents and put both passengers and other road users in danger. It can also affect the livelihood of e-rickshaw drivers who depend on these vehicles to earn their daily income. Also read: China-linked app used to disable e-rickshaws banned: Action follows ‘Tirri Trend’ prank videos; miscreants switched off batteries via Bluetooth

You could face jail and a hefty fine Cyber law expert and Chairman of the International Commission on Cyber Security Law, Pavan Duggal, says that using such apps without the owner’s permission is a criminal offence under the Information Technology Act, 2000. He said: I am very clear this is not a game, this is an offense under section 66 read with section 43 of the Information Technology Act 2000 because this is an activity that’s done dishonestly or fraudulently where people enter into the computer system of its e-rickshaw without the consent or the knowledge of the owner. He further added: “This is punishable with 3 years imprisonment and a fine worth Rs 5 lakh.” The government has started investigating the issue The matter has now reached the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). Following the viral videos, the ministry has started investigating apps such as BAT-BMS, Epoch Li-ion, and others that may have been misused. Reports say these apps have already been removed from both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. The government is also looking into the security loopholes that allowed such misuse. Also read: Scientists create quantum sound device that transforms healthcare: How ‘phonons’ work at temperatures near absolute zero and revolutionise medical diagnostics

Letter sent to the IT Minister The issue has also drawn political attention. BJP youth wing National Secretary Tajinder Bagga shared a letter on X addressed to Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, requesting immediate action against the app. The bigger problem is poor security Experts believe the app itself is not the only issue. The bigger concern is that some Bluetooth-enabled battery systems are not properly secured. If manufacturers or users fail to protect these systems with passwords or other security measures, they become easy targets for misuse. As the government continues its investigation, the incident has highlighted the need for stronger cybersecurity measures in connected electric vehicles.