California to introduce 'right to repair' bill, joins 17 other states in consumer initiati...
California on Wednesday became the latest state to ready so-called "right to repair" legislation that would require companies like Apple to provide consumers and third-party repair outlets access to repair information, diagnostic equipment and parts.
California State Assembly member Susan Talamantes Eggman has announced intent to introduce a California Right to Repair Act, joining a cadre of 17 other states with similar legislation on the table.
"The Right to Repair Act will provide consumers with the freedom to have their electronic products and appliances fixed by a repair shop or service provider of their choice, a practice that was taken for granted a generation ago but is now becoming increasingly rare in a world of planned obsolescence," Eggman said.
She goes on to argue that customers unable to pay high-priced manufacturer repairs are forced to replace broken equipment like smartphones, TVs and home appliances. How consumers are able to afford device replacements and not repairs, which are are in most cases less expensive, was not explained in the release.
Further, repairing and reusing electronic devices is more efficient use of source materials, Eggman said, adding that such measures can "stimulate local economies instead of unsustainable overseas factories."
Eggman's announcement was touted by third-party repair firm iFixit in its own press release mailed out to press on Wednesday.
Apple, one of the main targets of "right to repair" bills, has in the past voiced opposition to such government action, arguing the legislation would expose industry secrets and could create security and safety issues for existing customers. The company contends its products should only be serviced by qualified technicians, a stance that irks third-party repair firms.
Conducting repairs through authorized outlets like Apple stores and vetted shops provides customers with a consistent experience, while an authorized repair network helps the company control and protect its various hardware platforms, Apple has said.
Proponents of right to repair claim companies like Apple are merely interested in cornering the lucrative repair market. Some expect bills like Eggman's forthcoming California action to present consumers with more choice, thereby lowering out-of-pocket costs.
Interestingly, in lobbying a similar right to repair effort in Nebraska last year, Apple admitted it would not oppose the legislation if phones were excepted from the proposed bill.
California State Assembly member Susan Talamantes Eggman has announced intent to introduce a California Right to Repair Act, joining a cadre of 17 other states with similar legislation on the table.
"The Right to Repair Act will provide consumers with the freedom to have their electronic products and appliances fixed by a repair shop or service provider of their choice, a practice that was taken for granted a generation ago but is now becoming increasingly rare in a world of planned obsolescence," Eggman said.
She goes on to argue that customers unable to pay high-priced manufacturer repairs are forced to replace broken equipment like smartphones, TVs and home appliances. How consumers are able to afford device replacements and not repairs, which are are in most cases less expensive, was not explained in the release.
Further, repairing and reusing electronic devices is more efficient use of source materials, Eggman said, adding that such measures can "stimulate local economies instead of unsustainable overseas factories."
Eggman's announcement was touted by third-party repair firm iFixit in its own press release mailed out to press on Wednesday.
Apple, one of the main targets of "right to repair" bills, has in the past voiced opposition to such government action, arguing the legislation would expose industry secrets and could create security and safety issues for existing customers. The company contends its products should only be serviced by qualified technicians, a stance that irks third-party repair firms.
Conducting repairs through authorized outlets like Apple stores and vetted shops provides customers with a consistent experience, while an authorized repair network helps the company control and protect its various hardware platforms, Apple has said.
Proponents of right to repair claim companies like Apple are merely interested in cornering the lucrative repair market. Some expect bills like Eggman's forthcoming California action to present consumers with more choice, thereby lowering out-of-pocket costs.
Interestingly, in lobbying a similar right to repair effort in Nebraska last year, Apple admitted it would not oppose the legislation if phones were excepted from the proposed bill.
Comments
It also makes me wonder if a company like Apple would have to comply if they decided not to sell iPhones in California anymore.
Does the California law require Apple to reveal trade secrets if they are necessary to provide third party support?
Home appliances are one thing, but highly integrated miniature devices like phones are just by nature going to require specialized and expensive tools to repair them--after all, that's what it takes to assemble them! If higher integration results in greater reliability so repairs are rarely needed, I would say that would be a better way to go.
*Actually with TVs, I wonder how practical it would be for any 3rd party to source spares across such a broad range of product, given that there are so many freaking models out there, and so many model changes from year to year.
and - good luck “repairing” any (super thin) OLED TV at home - I feel damn lucky I didn’t crack the glass just mounting it
I do very little on my 2013 truck since you need a computer degree and $100K worth of test equipment to do anything. I just replaced my radio with an Alpine iLX-107 with wireless CarPlay and I couldn't believe the number of wires I had to locate and splice (even with Crutchfield's harnesses) much less the trouble I had cramming everything back in. I (think I) got everything connected properly but I hope I never have to pull anything out again. Service manuals (legally obtained) can easily cost more than $100, which is something this legislation will require greater availability of. I doubt car manufacturers will want to expand on these along with legitimate parts that don't cost as much as a new vehicle to comply.
So I pointed out to the guy that I had little to lose, since they wouldn’t even replace my battery for money, and I replaced the damn thing myself with a battery from iFixit.
In theory, it seems nice to have Apple do it, but it’s also good to have options.
But, even more importantly, opening up iPhones and iPads to third-party repair shops and parts will have a huge negative impact on security. Apple has security and privacy at their core of their product design philosophy; third-parties will be less concerned about that. Or worse, some may (and likely will) try to take advantage of their physical access to your iPhone or iPad to either plant spyware, or glean information about you, which they can use to their advantage, or sell to someone else.
Of course, whenever Apple makes these arguments, they are portrayed as demagogues who are just trying to control every aspect of their ecosystem. *SMH*
Most all are relatively easy to disassemble with a few decent tools if you can read an instructions guide at iFixit.
The hard part is getting quality Apple parts and this bill will require Apple and others to supply those parts.
Nobody is stopping you taking your equipment to Apple for repair but this bill gives people who know the sharp end of a driver an easier way to fix what they own.
Only one of the 5 iPhones and 4 Macs in this house was bought new. The rest are fixed broken S/H units (and kept out of landfill) using the ability to read and use tools.
And remember, the Foxconn production lines building iPhones and Macs are staffed by people who were planting rice paddy 2 months before they joined Foxconn, so if they can be trained, why can't a third-party repair person learn those same skills?
Drinking Apple's koolaid just keeps you in their upgrade-every-2-years thrall and a lot poorer as a result.