The Indian government has removed mobile applications allegedly linked to malfunctions in e-rickshaws and urged app stores to exercise greater due diligence to prevent potentially harmful applications from reaching users, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) S Krishnan said on Friday.
Apps Taken Down After Complaints
Speaking to reporters, Krishnan stated, “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 remarks came amid growing concerns over the misuse of digital applications to interfere with connected devices and facilitate cyber-enabled fraud. Over the past few days, several e-rickshaw drivers reported sudden stoppages and operational disruptions allegedly linked to some apps. The apps were being misused to prank or interfere with the functioning of e-rickshaws, causing unexpected interruptions and raising safety concerns for drivers and passengers.
App Stores Urged to Enhance Due Diligence
Krishnan emphasized 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. “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,” he said. The government has in recent years stepped up efforts to strengthen cybersecurity and improve oversight of digital platforms through measures under the Information Technology framework, while also working with intermediaries to curb harmful online content and applications.
Rise of E-Rickshaws and Digital Risks
India has witnessed rapid growth in the use of electric rickshaws as an affordable and environmentally friendly mode of transport, particularly for last-mile connectivity in urban and semi-urban areas. According to industry estimates, there are over 1.5 million e-rickshaws operating across the country. The expansion of digital services and smartphone-based applications has also increased the need for stronger safeguards against malicious software that could compromise vehicles or enable fraud. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has been actively working on improving digital trust and user safety as India's digital economy continues to expand, with authorities increasingly focusing on balancing innovation with adequate consumer protection.
Government's Ongoing Cybersecurity Efforts
This incident is part of a broader government push to tighten cybersecurity and regulate digital platforms. Under the Information Technology Act and subsequent rules, the government has mandated stricter compliance for intermediaries, including app stores, to prevent the spread of harmful content and malicious applications. The removal of these apps demonstrates the government's proactive approach to addressing emerging threats in the digital ecosystem.
