# Google and Apple Pull an App That Let Strangers Kill E-Rickshaws via Bluetooth

> On government orders, the controversial BAT-BMS app that was being used to remotely shut down e-rickshaws has been removed from both Google Play Store and Apple's App Store, with two apps deleted in total.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Technology · **Published:** 2026-07-03 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/technology/i-riksha-chalakon-ko-blututha-se-pareshana-karane-vala-bat-bms-aipa-apple-aura-google-ke-stora-se-bahara-4358 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** E-Rickshaw, BAT-BMS App, Google Play Store, Battery Management System, Bluetooth Security, Lithium-ion Battery

An app that let strangers switch off e-rickshaws from a distance has been pulled from both Google Play Store and Apple's App Store on the government's instructions. Two apps have been deleted in this action, which was ordered against the controversial BAT-BMS app.

## What triggered the action
The apps are alleged to have been used by some people to remotely shut down e-rickshaws. The move comes amid growing concerns over safety and the potential misuse of such technology. The investigation and monitoring of the matter will continue going forward. In recent days, several videos and posts related to the BAT BMS app went viral on social media, claiming that people were using the app to switch off e-rickshaws from a distance, causing financial losses to many drivers. As incidents of e-rickshaws suddenly shutting down increased and driver complaints kept mounting, the matter turned serious, prompting the concerned authorities to launch an investigation.

## How the Bluetooth trick worked
Many affordable e-rickshaws run on lithium-ion batteries, and inside these batteries sits a Battery Management System, or BMS, that keeps track of the battery's overall health, how much charge is left, whether it is overheating, and whether any technical fault has developed. Some cheap batteries, particularly ones made in China, come with a Bluetooth feature built into this BMS. If that Bluetooth connection has no password or security lock, anyone nearby can connect to it from their phone, much like how anyone can join an open Wi-Fi network or an unsecured Bluetooth device. The BAT-BMS app exploited exactly this unsecured Bluetooth connection to gain access to the battery's system, something being viewed as a serious security risk.

## How far does the Bluetooth range reach
According to a report by The Economic Times, battery management systems that lack a security lock typically have a Bluetooth range of 10 to 15 metres. That means someone standing by the roadside, or in a nearby vehicle or on a bike, could attempt to connect to the battery system over Bluetooth. In such cases, the e-rickshaw suddenly stops working, and the driver has no idea what actually went wrong with the vehicle.

## Which batteries are most at risk
Batteries from established, branded companies typically come with strong security and encryption systems, so they are not considered to carry this kind of risk. The danger is mostly seen in cheap, aftermarket batteries, which are used in large numbers of e-rickshaws.

## What this means for you
If you drive, own or run an e-rickshaw, this news affects you directly.

- **For e-rickshaw drivers:** if your vehicle has a cheap or aftermarket battery with an unsecured Bluetooth connection, anyone within 10 to 15 metres could potentially shut it down suddenly, so it is worth checking the battery's Bluetooth settings.
- **For anyone buying a new battery:** choosing a branded battery with strong security and encryption is a safer bet against this kind of remote tampering.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Why was the BAT-BMS app removed?
The app was allegedly being used by some people to remotely shut down e-rickshaws, raising serious safety concerns.

### 2. How many apps were deleted in this action?
Two apps in total were deleted from Google Play Store and Apple's App Store.

### 3. How could an e-rickshaw be switched off remotely?
Through an unsecured Bluetooth connection linked to the battery's BMS, which anyone nearby could connect to and use to shut down the battery system.

### 4. How far can an unsecured Bluetooth connection reach?
According to a report by The Economic Times, BMS units without a security lock typically have a Bluetooth range of 10 to 15 metres.

### 5. Are branded batteries also at risk?
No, branded batteries come with strong security and encryption systems, and the risk is mainly seen in cheap, aftermarket batteries.

### 6. Will the case be investigated further?
Yes, the investigation and monitoring of the matter will continue going forward.

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