Apple Supports Right to Repair in California – And That’s Surprising

2023-08-24 22:23:59

All about Apple

Apple has shown support for California (USA) bill SB 244 on the right to repair devices. The support came in the form of a letter, addressed to state senator Susan Talamantes Eggman, according to the website iFixit.

For those in a hurry:

Apple showed support for bill SB 244 in California (USA) on the right to repair devices; The text – which should be debated in the Californian parliament soon – requires the supply of parts, tools and manuals by manufacturers; Apple is surprising given the company’s history of opposing such initiatives; the company’s change in stance on this is believed to set the stage for future right-to-repair regulations

The text of the project – which should be debated in the Californian parliament soon – requires the supply of parts, tools and manuals to both independent workshops and device owners by electronics manufacturers.

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Apple supports California’s Right to Repair Act to give all California citizens more access to repairs while protecting their safety and privacy. We build products to last, and if they need repair, customers have a variety of safe, high-quality repair options.

Excerpt from Apple letter

The position of Apple, the only company to officially support the bill so far, is surprising given the company’s history of opposing initiatives of this type.

Apple and Right to Repair

(Image: Alyssa Stone/Northeastern University)

Apple even claimed that Nebraska would become a “mecca for hackers” when a right-to-repair bill was introduced in the state.

However, the tech giant has shown signs of a shift in positioning in recent years.

For example, the company announced in 2021 that it would start selling parts and tools directly to consumers and even offer repair guides to help them fix their iPhones and Macs on their own.

There is another important point in this context: as pointed out by the website EngadgetApple started to be more pliable about the right to repair to prepare the ground for future regulations – for example, this one that will be debated in California.

And now?

Whether Apple’s endorsement can finally give the bill the support it needs to pass remains to be seen.

Senator Susan introduced the California Right to Repair Bill in 2018. But the bill did not garner significant support until 2023.

The Senate unanimously approved the bill, which will go through a final hearing next week. After that, it will have to go to the floor and be approved one last time by lawmakers before the governor can sign it into law.

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