🔥 Trending BMS App Controversy: E-Rickshaws Remotely Shut Down by Pranksters

The BAT-BMS app controversy revolves around a smartphone application, primarily of Chinese origin, that was allegedly used to remotely disable e-rickshaws, leading to significant safety concerns and financial distress for drivers in India ¹³⁷. This issue gained widespread attention through viral videos depicting individuals using the app to prank e-rickshaw drivers, often leaving them stranded ¹³.

What is the BAT-BMS App?

The BAT-BMS app is a battery diagnostic application designed to monitor the performance of compatible Battery Management Systems (BMS) in electric vehicles, including e-rickshaws ⁶. It allows owners to track various parameters such as voltage, temperature, and current ⁶. The app was intended for legitimate use by battery owners to manage their systems ⁶.

How Did the Controversy Emerge?

The controversy began when videos circulated on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, X, and Reddit, showing people using the BAT-BMS app to remotely interfere with e-rickshaws ¹. These videos, often referred to as the 'Tirri Control' trend, demonstrated how the app could be used as a "Bluetooth kill switch" to abruptly stop e-rickshaws mid-ride ¹³.

Technical Mechanism

The core of the problem lay in a security vulnerability within certain battery packs ⁴. These packs allowed administrative commands to be sent via Bluetooth without sufficient verification of the sender ⁴. While the app itself doesn't "magically hack" vehicles over the internet, it exploited this design flaw ². Essentially, if an e-rickshaw's BMS was compatible and had this vulnerability, the BAT-BMS app could connect via Bluetooth and send a command to disable the vehicle ³⁴.

Impact on Drivers and Public Safety

The remote disabling of e-rickshaws created several serious problems:

• Safety Hazards: E-rickshaws stopping suddenly in traffic posed a significant risk to both passengers and other road users ³⁷.
• Financial Loss: Drivers reported being unable to complete rides, leading to loss of daily income and inconvenience ⁸. Some were forced to push their vehicles for kilometers ¹.
• Distress: The pranks caused confusion, anger, and distress among drivers and passengers ³.
• Widespread Allegations: E-rickshaw drivers across India, including in cities like Bhopal and Ujjain, reported their vehicles being remotely shut down ⁸.

Government Intervention and Current Status

The widespread concern prompted intervention from Indian authorities. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched an investigation into the app, focusing on unauthorized access, data sovereignty, regulatory compliance, and the supply chain origin, particularly concerning Chinese manufacturers ⁷.

As of July 2026, the Indian government has taken action to remove apps like BAT-BMS that could remotely shut down e-rickshaws via Bluetooth ⁵. This move aimed to address the public safety issues and security flaws highlighted by the controversy ⁴⁵. The BAT-BMS app is now reportedly banned ⁴.

Broader Implications

This incident has raised important questions about:

• IoT Security: The vulnerability of connected devices and the need for robust security measures in their design ⁴.
• Supply Chain Integrity: Concerns about the origin and security standards of components, especially those from foreign manufacturers ⁷.
• Regulatory Oversight: The necessity for stricter regulations on software and hardware used in public transport and critical infrastructure ⁷.

The BAT-BMS app controversy serves as a stark reminder of how technological vulnerabilities, even in seemingly innocuous applications, can have significant real-world consequences, impacting public safety and livelihoods ¹³⁴.