Guwahati, July 3 -- The Centre on Friday said two smartphone applications linked to reports of remote shutdowns of e-rickshaws had been removed from app stores after they came to the government's notice.

The clarification came amid reports that some e-rickshaws could be remotely disabled through the Chinese application BAT-BMS, triggering concerns over cybersecurity risks associated with internet-connected vehicle management systems.

Confirming the action, Information Technology Secretary S. Krishnan said the government had acted after the apps were identified.

"That is right. There are a couple of apps, which came to our notice yesterday and both of them have been taken down from the app stores," Krishnan said on the sidelines of a Co...