The right-to-repair movement gets a boost from Apple’s U-turn as Americans support DIY

If it is broke… now you might be able to fix it. A California right-to-repair bill got support from a surprising source this week: Apple. The RTR movement proposes that consumers should have a right to self-repair the things they own (including tech gadgets). Proponents say it’ll save consumers’ money and reduce electronic waste. Apple, a longtime RTR antagonist, has recently softened its stance as the movement takes off: 

• Reversal: For years, Apple spent millions fighting against RTR legislation. It told Nebraska lawmakers in 2017 that the right to repair iPhones would turn the state into a hacker “mecca.” 

• Bad Apple? Apple’s been repeatedly accused of planned obsolescence (designing devices to break or become obsolete quickly).

• California’s Right to Repair Act hasn’t been officially passed, but CA-headquartered Apple’s support should give it a big boost.

Fix-it culture… The CA bill, which covers consumer electronics and appliances, isn’t just about giving folks who have the confidence and a screwdriver a chance to fix their laptops. It would also require manufacturers to make parts and manuals available to repair shops. RTR legislation has been introduced in 30 states this year alone, with four additional states having already passed laws. Since the FTC said it would ramp up enforcement back in 2021, tech companies like Apple, Microsoft, Google, and Samsung have voluntarily launched self-repair services.