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Apple, Google & Microsoft Have Teamed up to Block the Right-to-Repair Law
Apple, Google & Microsoft Have Teamed up to Block the Right-to-Repair Law:
Bloomberg today released a report on how companies like Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google are working together to put a stop to laws that would make it necessary for companies to provide device schematics, genuine repair parts, and repair manuals to independent repair technicians.
Almost 27 states have considered the laws in 2021 alone, but in more than half of them, the laws have been voted down or dismissed. Many lobbyists and trade groups representing tech companies have fought hard against this law with Apple pointing out that such measures could lead to device damage or consumers harming themselves when attempting to repair their devices.
In Washington, for example, Washington House of Representatives Democrat Mia Gregerson sponsored a Right to Repair measure that was fought by Microsoft, Google, Amazon, along with lobbyists representing Apple. Lobbyists later said that Apple would endorse repair programs at local colleges if the bill was dropped.
Also at Bloomberg and MacRumors.
See also: Leaked Apple Documents Inadvertently Helped the Right-to-Repair Movement
Louis Rossmann Starts a GoFundMe to Get "Right to Repair" Legistation Passed Through a Direct Ballot
Summary Louis Rossmann, electronics repairman and YouTuber, has started a nonprofit and GoFundMe campaign to fight to get right to repair legislation passed through direct ballot initiatives. For years Louis has talked about the importance of right to repair and how it has become more difficult t...
Right to repair series - Louis Rossmann
In this series he specifically explains why we need better right to repair laws.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyM7FxEaShI
Original Submission #1 Original Submission #2 Original Submission #3
(Score: 2) by slinches on Friday May 21 2021, @06:42PM (1 child)
The logic there is that consumers will harm themselves by forcing the companies to remove or cripple hadware features that could be repaired to extend the life beyond what the company has computed to be optimal for their profits.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday May 22 2021, @02:42PM
That's a bit like suggesting that it's his own fault that I put that severed horse's head in his bed, he should have taken my offer. We need proper regulations that hold companies accountable when their devices don't last a reasonable amount of time. There's no reason why batteries need to be soldered to the board when a dab of hot glue will prevent them from jiggling loose, the small amount of extra resistance is just not that significant.
There's also no reason for companies to be allowed to bundle unrelated software that can't be uninstalled from the device by the owner. They sold the device, they shouldn't be allowed to dictate how it's going to be used beyond the basics needed to prevent damage to the networks they're connecting to.