In a major development, the BAT BMS App, which was allegedly used to remotely disable e-rickshaws, has been removed from both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store following government directives. This development comes after videos surfaced on social media showing e-rickshaws being shut down using a mobile application. While responding to a question on apps allegedly linked to e-rickshaw-related fraud, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), S Krishnan said on Friday, “There are a couple of apps which came up to our notice yesterday. Both of them have been taken down from the app stores.”
The latest update comes amid growing concerns over the misuse of digital applications to interfere with connected devices and facilitate cyber-enabled fraud. For the past few days, several e-rickshaw drivers reported sudden stoppages and operational disruptions allegedly linked to some apps. The app was being misused to prank or interfere with the functioning of e-rickshaws. This caused unexpected interruptions and raised safety concerns for drivers and passengers.
Krishnan stated that app stores have a responsibility to ensure that applications made available to users do not pose risks to public safety or facilitate unlawful activities. According to a news agency ANI report, “The idea is that this is due care that the app stores have to exercise and we will take it up with the app stores to see that possibly damaging apps do not come up.”
The number of electric rickshaws has been growing quickly in India; their affordability and eco-friendliness make them ideal for providing last mile connectivity in urban and semi-urban areas. There has been a corresponding increase in digital services (apps, etc.) and smartphone users, creating urgency for greater levels of protection against malicious applications that could harm vehicles or commit fraud.
Also Read: ‘Absolutely not right to harass the poor’: Angry netizens react after viral BAT-BMS Bluetooth app stops e-rickshaws mid-road| Viral Check
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Sumaila Zaman is a Senior Sub Editor at India.com, where she covers key developments and trending events across education, world affairs, business, and current news. At India.com, she specializes in b … Read More
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