Slashdot Mirror
California Reintroduces 'Right To Repair' Bill After Previous Effort Failed (appleinsider.com)
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Apple Insider: California State Assembly member Susan Talamantes Eggman on Monday announced the introduction of Assembly Bill 1163, which will require manufacturers like Apple to "make service literature and equipment or parts available to product owners and to regulated, independent repair shops." "For nearly 30 years California has required that manufacturers provide access to replacement parts and service materials for electronics and appliances to authorized repairers in the state. In that time, manufacturers have captured the market, controlling where and when we repair our property, and inflating the electronic waste stream," Eggman said. "The Right to Repair will provide consumers with the freedom to have their electronic products and appliances fixed by a repair shop or service provider of their choice, creating a competitive market that will be cheaper for consumers and reduce the number of devices thrown in the trash."
The bill, officially filed as legislation relating to electronic waste, is Eggman's second try at right to repair legislation. Her first attempt, 2018's Bill 2110, was introduced last March and subsequently died in assembly that November. Like the pending Bill 1163, last year's tendered legislation was crafted as a play to reduce e-waste. Eggman's announcement includes a word-for-word reproduction of an explainer included in 2018's press release for the now-dead Bill 2110. In it the lawmaker argues that customers who are unable to pay for manufacturer repairs are forced to replace broken equipment like smartphones, TVs and home appliances. Beyond financial benefits, Eggman also says that the repair and reuse of electronics is more efficient than purchasing a new device, noting that such measures can "stimulate local economies instead of unsustainable overseas factories."
The bill, officially filed as legislation relating to electronic waste, is Eggman's second try at right to repair legislation. Her first attempt, 2018's Bill 2110, was introduced last March and subsequently died in assembly that November. Like the pending Bill 1163, last year's tendered legislation was crafted as a play to reduce e-waste. Eggman's announcement includes a word-for-word reproduction of an explainer included in 2018's press release for the now-dead Bill 2110. In it the lawmaker argues that customers who are unable to pay for manufacturer repairs are forced to replace broken equipment like smartphones, TVs and home appliances. Beyond financial benefits, Eggman also says that the repair and reuse of electronics is more efficient than purchasing a new device, noting that such measures can "stimulate local economies instead of unsustainable overseas factories."
Two rules are critical:
1. Wear items, such as batteries, must be easily user-removable and replaceable. Exceptions for certain types of medical and human interface devices, or where the device's primary function is as a battery (ie. power banks).
2. Superuser privileges on personal and mobile computing devices must be made available at time of purchase. If there is a means of escalating privilege (ie. sideloading, rooting, firmware flashing, oem unlock, etc.) and it's not limited by FCC compliance, it must be available, or the device cannot be legally sold or imported for resale.
A government is a body of people notably ungoverned - AC
You have the right to buy devices that you are able to repair; you also have the right not to buy such devices.
Is the U.S. a free country or ain't it?
Government has no business legislating this stuff; these are issues for the market to work out, and for The People to negotiate among themselves through voluntary interaction. If there's not a product on the market that meets your moral standards, then tough luck; either make it, or stick your money where your mouth is and spend your resources on other aspects of existence.
The principled position is an opposition to the ever increasing role that government is trying to play in the interactions of The People.
you can be sure Apple is gonna do everything possible to brick phones at the first sign of an illicit repair..
If those people then buy another iphone they deserve everything they get.
Wanna buy a shirt?
https://www.redbubble.com/people/stealthfinger/shop?asc=u