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
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...
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: 3, Insightful) by Runaway1956 on Saturday May 22 2021, @12:33AM (1 child)
Again, let's not concentrate so much on what any individual consumer may or may not be able to do. You and I can change batteries out, big and small, in almost any application, from personal use to industrial scale. But, that really doesn't matter. If I find some exotic setup that I can't handle, I can always find someone who can do the job for me.
Cars again - there are shops in every town that will work on your Dodge, your Chevy, your Ford, or your Freightliner. You have the choice of returning your vehicle to the factory authorized dealer, or going to Suzy's Beauty Shop and Auto Repair at the shopping center.
This is the choice John Deere owners and iPhone owners alike are demanding.
Abortion is the number one killed of children in the United States.
(Score: 2) by sjames on Saturday May 22 2021, @01:20AM
That is worth keeping in mind as well. Even people who are a danger to themselves and others if they go near tools can benefit from taking their device to a nearby independent repair shop or a friend.