A Video showing someone shutting down Automated Teller Machines using a mobile application, have been gaining internet virality, according to news reports on Tuesday.
Reports noted that the app that the user in the video utilised to allegedly shut down these machines remotely had a similar user interace to that of the Chinese application BAT BMS.
BAT-BMS was developed by Chinese firm Shenzhen Grenergy Technology. The application was originally developed as a legitimate battery-monitoring tool built for solar, marine and off-grid lithium battery systems. It functionalities were abused by users who used them to shut down e-rickshaws by disconnecting them from their batteries. Due to these EVs running on battery systems, it made them an unwitting target of the application.
BAT-BMS was subsequently blocked by the Indian government due to these actions.
Reports cited experts who expressed skepticism regarding the veracity of the video clip due to the complexity of ATMs compared to that of EVs and their battery systems. An app similar to BAT BMS would have to contend with bank networks, virtual private networks and multi-layer security firewalls, which is not something that is feasible via such a mobile app.
ALSO READ: Open Bluetooth, No Password: Experts On How E-Rickshaws Are Vulnerable To BAT-BMS
Another theory touted by netizens was that the ATM was in the midst of rebooting itself and the person filming the video merely timed the app to make it seem as though it was connected to it and is turning it off.
The user interace was also speculated to be similar to BAT-BMS on purpose in order to generate buzz and garner virality.
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