The bill previously unanimously passed the state Senate, meaning right to repair is very close to passing in America's most populous state.

Summary

  • The California state assembly has unanimously passed a bill that would require electronics manufacturers to sell repair tools and parts to consumers and to make repair guides available to the general public.

  • The bill, known as the “Right to Repair” bill, previously passed the state Senate and now has the support of Apple, a longtime opponent of the legislation.

  • If the bill is signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom, it would be a victory not just for Californians but for consumers everywhere.

  • California would become the third state to pass right to repair legislation for consumer electronics, after New York and Minnesota passed laws earlier this year.

  • The bill is seen as a victory for consumers and environmentalists, who argue that it will allow people to repair their own devices and reduce electronic waste.

Additional Details

  • The bill was supported by a coalition of consumer groups, environmentalists, and small business owners.

  • The bill’s supporters argued that it would be better for the environments and save them money on repairs.

  • Apple supported bills after having spent millions of dollars against it.

  • @[email protected]English
    1•1 year ago

    Apple was against it because if you have parts, you can build counterfit iPhones and stuff (read about that rationale years ago, take it with a grain of salt). Also, the repair market is quite lucrative forcing customers to buy new devices than actually fixing them. They were doing this with iPods way back in the day with irreplaceable batteries or batteries so pricey, “you may as well buy a new one”.

    No idea why they changed their tune. I could only imagine their revenue streams have leaned more into software now but I’m just an idiot online, what do I know.