India’s e-rickshaw battery-control apps remain live after government takedown order

The government ordered Google and Apple to remove three apps linked to unauthorised e-rickshaw battery-management controls, but MediaNama found several still available. The gap spotlights app-store enforcement and cybersecurity risks in India’s aftermarket lithium-ion battery ecosystem.

— Source publishedThu, 23 Jul, 2026, 12:30 IST·First seen Thu, 23 Jul, 2026, 12:46 IST·Source Medianama

What happened

Government of India · The government ordered Google and Apple to remove three Bluetooth battery-management apps linked to unauthorised e-rickshaw battery

Key facts

  • July 3, 2026
  • July 22, 2026
  • 3 apps
  • Section 70B
  • Section 70A
  • Consumer Protection Act, 2019

Why this matters

Pursue partnerships or acquisitions in certified battery-management software and app-security capabilities as regulators pressure app stores and vehicle ecosystems to close control loopholes.

What to watch

  • A battery fire, electrocution event or fleet disruption tied to aftermarket software-controlled batteries.
  • A MeitY, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, BIS or state transport authority notice expanding enforcement beyond the named apps.
  • Apple or Google removing the apps, publishing a compliance response, or facing penalties for delayed action.
  • Mandatory certification, QR traceability or installer registration for lithium-ion batteries and BMS components.
  • Growth in APK distribution, Telegram/WhatsApp sales channels or app re-listings under new developer accounts.
  • Insurers, NBFCs or e-rickshaw financiers requiring certified batteries and software as lending or coverage conditions.
  • Google and Apple should publish India-specific compliance status, developer identity details and repeat-offender procedures for vehicle-control apps.
  • Battery OEMs, e-rickshaw assemblers and fleet financiers should audit whether financed vehicles use uncertified BMS software or modified charging controls.
  • Mobility platforms and insurers should begin distinguishing certified batteries and installers in onboarding, pricing and claims rules.
  • Regulators should pair app-store notices with developer attribution, domain blocking, reseller inspections and test-lab certification of battery-management firmware.
  • Organized battery-swapping operators can position certified hardware, remote monitoring and maintenance records as a safety-and-finance advantage.