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‘The tech giant’s longstanding opposition to the Right to Repair movement raises concerns.’
Apple, the tech giant, has officially thrown its support behind Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman’s Right to Repair Bill in California, as reported by iFixit. In fact, Apple went a step further and sent a letter to legislators, urging them to pass Senate Bill 244. This bill aims to ensure that companies provide consumers and third-party providers with the necessary repair diagnostics and parts to fix their products. The endorsement by Apple is seen as a significant moment for consumer rights by iFixit’s CEO, Kyle Wiens, who likened it to the dismantling of the Berlin Wall, potentially leading to a more competitive market and cheaper repairs.
If SB 244 is enacted into law, it will require manufacturers to make available the parts, tools, and documentation needed to repair products that cost between $50 and $100 for a period of three years after their last manufacturing date. For products over $100, the repair materials must be available for seven years. This means manufacturers cannot withhold information or components after the expiration of warranties. Violating companies will face fines of $1000 per day for the first offense, $2000 for the second, and $5000 per day for subsequent violations.
It is worth noting that Apple has a history of opposing Right to Repair legislation and even claimed that Nebraska would become a “mecca for hackers” when a similar bill was introduced in the state. However, the company has recently shown signs of changing its stance. In 2021, Apple announced that it would directly sell parts and tools to consumers, as well as provide repair guides to assist them in fixing their iPhones and Macs independently. Apple reportedly stated in its letter that it supports SB 244 because it includes measures to protect user safety and security, as well as the intellectual property of product manufacturers.
Whether Apple’s endorsement will be enough to garner sufficient support for the bill’s approval remains uncertain. Senator Eggman introduced the Right to Repair Act in California as early as 2018, but it only gained significant backing this year. The bill has already passed the Senate unanimously and is scheduled for its final hearing next week. After that, it will need to be approved once more by legislators before it can be signed into law by the governor.