A smartphone application originally designed to monitor lithium battery systems has become the centre of a viral prank that is alarming e-rickshaw drivers across India.
Social media videos show pranksters allegedly using the BAT-BMS app to connect to nearby battery-powered three-wheelers and switch them off mid-ride, leaving drivers stranded and raising concerns over road safety.
The app was developed by Shenzhen Grenergy Technology, a China-based company, as a Battery Management System (BMS) monitoring tool for Bluetooth-enabled lithium batteries.Whiles the software itself serves legit battery management purposes , cybersecurity concerns have popped up because of how poorly secured battery management systems get misused in some low cost e-rickshaws.
Experts say the problem that really matters is less about the app, and more about weak authentication on compatible battery packs, so they end up open for unauthorized Bluetooth access.BAT-BMS is built so users can track and manage Bluetooth enabled lithium batteries.
The app shows stuff like battery charge, voltage, current, heat level, cycle count and even the well-being of each individual battery cell.
