Apple Inc. AAPL has thrown its support behind California’s “Right to Repair” bill, marking a significant departure from its years-long resistance to granting consumers access to repair their electronic devices.
What Happened: In the letter addressed to California State Senator Susan Eggman, Apple urged members of the California legislature to pass the “Right to Repair” bill or “SB 244” as currently drafted.
“California’s final Right to Repair bill should balance device integrity, usability, and physical safety with the desire of consumers to be able to repair, rather than replace, a device when it needs repair. Legislation that correctly balances these concerns will ensure that manufacturers are able to comply with the law while protecting consumers and their devices,” the company said in the letter.
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The bill builds upon the existing Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act of 1970, mandating manufacturers to provide parts, tools, and documentation for their products for up to seven years, as reported by AppleInsider.
The bill’s similarities to legislation passed in Minnesota earlier in the year signify a growing push to ensure consumer rights and promote sustainability in the technology industry.
The Cupertino, California-based tech giant’s unexpected support for the “Right to Repair” bill is a significant victory for advocates seeking fair competition and increased accessibility in the repair market.
Why It’s Important: Apple’s endorsement aligns with its 2022 Self-Service Repair program launch, which initially covered iPhones and has since expanded to include select Macs. This program, already compliant with SB 244, empowers users and third-party repair shops by providing access to essential repair materials, the report noted.
However, before that, for years, Cupertino had staunchly opposed the same bill for which the company has received massive criticism.
In 2021, when Apple was among the companies that successfully lobbied against right-to-repair bills in the U.S., Steve Wozniak supported the “Right to Repair” movement, saying that the iPhone maker itself emerged from the open technology ethos.
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