Apple Planning to Fight Proposed 'Right to Repair' Legislation

Apple is preparing to fight proposed "Right to Repair" legislation proposed in the Nebraska state legislature, reports Motherboard. The legislation aims to make it easier for both customers and indie repair shops to repair electronics, similar to how car repair works.

Nebraska is one of eight states considering such legislation. In addition to Nebraska, New York, Michigan, Minnesota, Kansas and Massachusetts are working on similar bills. Last week, Illinois and Tennessee introduced laws in the same vein. Nebraska, thus far, is the only state to schedule a hearing for the proposed legislation.

A source tells Motherboard that Apple will send either a representative, staffer or lobbyist to argue against the law at the hearing, which is scheduled for March 9 in Lincoln, Nebraska. One of the arguments Apple intends to put forth is that allowing customers to repair their own phones could result in lithium batteries catching fire.

Apple has successfully lobbied against similar bills in the past. Last year, a bill headed through New York's state legislature was killed due to, in part, lobbying from Apple and IBM.

A "Right to Repair" law would require Apple and other manufacturers to sell repair parts to consumers and independent repair shops and make diagnostic and service manuals available to the public. Currently, Apple runs the Apple Authorized Service Provider Program, which requires businesses to let Apple review their financial records, maintain high levels of customer service, establish a credit line with Apple, and promote AppleCare.

Tag: Right to Repair

Top Rated Comments

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zorinlynx

34 months ago

I hope they lose. I hope they lose HARD. We all should be able to repair our own stuff.

I agree with Apple on a lot of things but their stance on end-users repairing their own property has always been something I have a problem with.

Rating: 50 Votes

Cougarcat

34 months ago

For a company that pretends to be so environmentally friendly, they should be embracing repairability.

Rating: 26 Votes

scottct1

34 months ago

I must agree, I hope Apple loses here. I have a $900 computer in my hands, I should be able to fix it if I want if it is out of Warranty.

Rating: 25 Votes

canny

34 months ago

Tim Cook hates Apple customers more than he hates the Mac.

Rating: 21 Votes

DoctorKrabs

34 months ago

Last time Apple tried defending their stance on this, they said that making a dead MacBook work again makes it into a "PC" and that it is "not a real Mac" if it has its board repaired to work when it didn't before. As if it matters for out-of-warranty Macs that what was dead is made working again.

I don't use the word often, but Apple's defense is what many call "retarded".

Rating: 17 Votes

realeric

34 months ago

Apple need to sell genuine parts to customers, especially battery & screen.

Rating: 17 Votes

miketcool

34 months ago

This is ludicrous. Apple has a right to sell you a device and limit OEM parts for "home repairability". Why are so many people opposed to technological progress? Can you imagine where we would be if POLITICIANS dictated what repairable meant?

Using adhesives increase the durability and make products smaller and more compact. Why would you think screws, shock mounts, and a ribbon cable are more efficient then directly connecting memory to a board? Everything will be printed at the molecular level someday. Will the same people crying on here be demanding that Apple keep components large enough to be manipulated by pliers and screw drivers?

Absurd. If you want a computer you can repair at home with Craftsman tools, buy a Dell from 1999. No one is stopping you from living in the past.

Rating: 17 Votes

aaronhead14

34 months ago

Well of course they are. Apple wants to monopolize the reparation of their devices so they can overcharge and make more money, rather than actually care for their customers.

Rating: 15 Votes