Apple Backs US Government's Push for a National Right-to-Repair Bill . (But What About Parts Pairing?) (arstechnica.com) 30
An anonymous reader shared this report from Ars Technica:
Following the passage of California's repair bill that Apple supported, requiring seven years of parts, specialty tools, and repair manual availability, Apple announced Tuesday that it would back a similar bill on a federal level. It would also make its parts, tools, and repair documentation available to both non-affiliated repair shops and individual customers, "at fair and reasonable prices."
"We intend to honor California's new repair provisions across the United States," said Brian Naumann, Apple's vice president for service and operation management, at a White House event Tuesday...
"I think most OEMs [Original Equipment Manufacturers] will realize they can save themselves a lot of trouble by making parts, tools, and other requirements of state laws already in NY, MN, CA, and CO available nationally," wrote Gay Gordon-Byrne, executive director of The Repair Association, to Ars... Gordon-Byrne noted that firms like HP, Google, Samsung, and Lenovo have pledged to comply with repair rules on a national level. The US Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) communicated a similarly hopeful note in its response to Tuesday's event, noting that "Apple makes a lot of products, and its conduct definitely influences other manufacturers." At the same time, numerous obstacles to repair access remain in place through copyright law — "Which we hope will be high on an agenda in the IP subcommittee this session," Gordon-Byrne wrote.
Besides strong support from President Biden, there's also strong support from America's Federal Trade Commission, reports TechCrunch: FTC chair Lina Khan commented on the pushback many corporations have given such legislation. Device and automotive manufacturers have argued that putting such choice in the hands of consumers opens them up to additional security risks. "We hear some manufacturers defend repair restrictions, claiming that they're needed for safety or security reasons," said Khan. "The FTC has found that all too often these claims are backed by limited evidence. Accordingly, the FTC has committed itself to using all of our enforcement and policy tools to fight for people's right to repair their own products."
A cautionary note from Ars Technica: Elizabeth Chamberlain, director of sustainability for iFixit, a parts vendor and repair advocate, suggested that Apple's pledge to extend California's law on a national level is "a strategic move." "Apple likely hopes that they will be able to negotiate out the parts of the Minnesota bill they don't like," Chamberlain wrote in an email, pointing specifically to the "fair and reasonable" parts provisioning measure that could preclude Apple's tendency toward pairing parts to individual devices. "[I]t's vital to get bulletproof parts pairing prohibitions passed in other states in 2024," Chamberlain wrote. "Independent repair and refurbishment depend on parts harvesting."
The Washington Post reports that currently repair shop owners and parts vendors "have had to find ways to reassure their customers they haven't made a mistake by choosing an independent fix." If the digital identifier tied to a replacement part doesn't match the one the phone expects to see, you'll start seeing those warnings and issues. "Only Apple pairs parts in an intrusive way where you get these messages pop up," said Jonathan Strange, owner of two XiRepair gadget repair shops in Montgomery, Alabama. To ward off those unnerving messages and restore full functionality, repair technicians are required to go through a "system configuration" process that authenticates the part after making the fix. Some small operations, like Strange's XiRepair shops, can do that in-store because they've gone through a process to become a certified Apple Independent Repair Providers. But that process can't happen at all in shops that haven't gone through that certification, or if more affordable parts like third-party replacements were used.
The Post also shares this reaction from Aaron Perzanowski, a repair researcher and law professor at the University of Michigan.
"The fact that companies want to use technology to essentially undo the notion of interchangeable parts is something we ought to find deeply disturbing."
"We intend to honor California's new repair provisions across the United States," said Brian Naumann, Apple's vice president for service and operation management, at a White House event Tuesday...
"I think most OEMs [Original Equipment Manufacturers] will realize they can save themselves a lot of trouble by making parts, tools, and other requirements of state laws already in NY, MN, CA, and CO available nationally," wrote Gay Gordon-Byrne, executive director of The Repair Association, to Ars... Gordon-Byrne noted that firms like HP, Google, Samsung, and Lenovo have pledged to comply with repair rules on a national level. The US Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) communicated a similarly hopeful note in its response to Tuesday's event, noting that "Apple makes a lot of products, and its conduct definitely influences other manufacturers." At the same time, numerous obstacles to repair access remain in place through copyright law — "Which we hope will be high on an agenda in the IP subcommittee this session," Gordon-Byrne wrote.
Besides strong support from President Biden, there's also strong support from America's Federal Trade Commission, reports TechCrunch: FTC chair Lina Khan commented on the pushback many corporations have given such legislation. Device and automotive manufacturers have argued that putting such choice in the hands of consumers opens them up to additional security risks. "We hear some manufacturers defend repair restrictions, claiming that they're needed for safety or security reasons," said Khan. "The FTC has found that all too often these claims are backed by limited evidence. Accordingly, the FTC has committed itself to using all of our enforcement and policy tools to fight for people's right to repair their own products."
A cautionary note from Ars Technica: Elizabeth Chamberlain, director of sustainability for iFixit, a parts vendor and repair advocate, suggested that Apple's pledge to extend California's law on a national level is "a strategic move." "Apple likely hopes that they will be able to negotiate out the parts of the Minnesota bill they don't like," Chamberlain wrote in an email, pointing specifically to the "fair and reasonable" parts provisioning measure that could preclude Apple's tendency toward pairing parts to individual devices. "[I]t's vital to get bulletproof parts pairing prohibitions passed in other states in 2024," Chamberlain wrote. "Independent repair and refurbishment depend on parts harvesting."
The Washington Post reports that currently repair shop owners and parts vendors "have had to find ways to reassure their customers they haven't made a mistake by choosing an independent fix." If the digital identifier tied to a replacement part doesn't match the one the phone expects to see, you'll start seeing those warnings and issues. "Only Apple pairs parts in an intrusive way where you get these messages pop up," said Jonathan Strange, owner of two XiRepair gadget repair shops in Montgomery, Alabama. To ward off those unnerving messages and restore full functionality, repair technicians are required to go through a "system configuration" process that authenticates the part after making the fix. Some small operations, like Strange's XiRepair shops, can do that in-store because they've gone through a process to become a certified Apple Independent Repair Providers. But that process can't happen at all in shops that haven't gone through that certification, or if more affordable parts like third-party replacements were used.
The Post also shares this reaction from Aaron Perzanowski, a repair researcher and law professor at the University of Michigan.
"The fact that companies want to use technology to essentially undo the notion of interchangeable parts is something we ought to find deeply disturbing."
Re: Always comes down to someones pp (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Government can threaten Apple with terrible things if they don't cooperate, including remaining silent about their cooperation. The part pairing as "security" is little more than a slimy excuse to do the wrong thing. Kinda like auto makers claiming you'll be raped if they let independent mechanics read your car's diagnostics.
As for your concern about a touch recorder, that could be added to a legit part in parallel and not even touch pairing.
This will be a great benefit for (Score:3)
Iâ(TM)m not against right-to-repair. Just pointing out that this type of law is EXTREMELY unlikely to change the way stuff is repaired. Most people cant even change their car oil. What makes you think people are gonna start repairing their electronics devices?
Re:This will be a great benefit for (Score:4, Insightful)
The big part of this though is those local repair shops.
Most mobile devices don't operate under the Apple paradigm where they operate their own stores and repair centers so many people who are out of their one year warranties are going to turn to a repair shop and at that point for many people the parts and procedures are simply not available or they have to scavenge parts or the price is so high that repair is simply not worth it.
If legislation can help that and turn into something more akin to the auto industry where my mechanic can get both 3rd party and OEM parts for functionally the lifetime and past that of the vehicle and at competitive prices then maintaining these gadgets for more years becomes viable.
Also some of us really the enjoy the challenge and satisfaction of self repair and i bet more people would take part if the risk factor could be lower. When a replacement screen costs $250 the repair attempt is way more stressful than if it was $50 and many people wouldn't even attempt it it at that price point.
Re: (Score:2)
coercing business is not one of them!
The concept of "businesses" and "corporations" only exist because of the state so any rights they have are also bound to the state and therefore the public. The only "rights" they get are those that are granted to them through the monopoly use of force. That also applies to yours and my rights as well.
Sorry libertarian's, the concept of rights is a human and social construct so we can make them whatever we want. We already coerce businesses in dozens if not hundreds of fashions already.
Re: (Score:1)
to everyone's detriment.
why not just start your own trillion-dollar tech company like a real man?!
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
exactly, the social structure that we all agree to cede that authority to a central force is the bedrock of civilization and why democracy, with all it's imperfections, is the best system we currently have
Re: (Score:2)
exactly, the social structure that we all agree to cede that authority to a central force is the bedrock of civilization and why democracy, with all it's imperfections, is the best system we currently have
It's the ONLY system "we" (Americans) have, and we're not a Democracy. We might be less corrupt if we were a Democracy since there wouldn't be ever-present ruling-class middlemen to take bribes in order to act against the people's interests, and "it's the best system we have" because you've been told that
Re: (Score:2)
(and by "Apple Authorized Parts" we literally mean that each part is authorized specifically for the device associated to the repair ticket LOL thanks rubes! now we don't even have to pay technicians!)
Re: (Score:2)
Then we can just pass laws to outlaw that practice and repeat until we get the outcome we want (reasonably priced and available parts and repairs for people who want them)
Re: (Score:2)
I'm sure it will work this time.
Of course (Score:1)
We intend to honor California's new repair provisions across the United States
They are just heading off the alternative: 50 different state laws. And they might as well go with California's bill. Because California is not going to comply with differing Federal laws under the "we're special snowflakes" clause in the US Constitution.
Apple learned this from car companies (Score:2, Insightful)
You could use O'Brien Glass to replace the cracked windscreen on your Honda for less than $400 AUD (and they'll come out to wherever you are in that price), but Honda dealers want to charge you $2500 AUD for the same service.
Honda dealers claim that it's because they have to "recalibrate the rain sensor" for each individual windscreen despite it being nothing more than a simple IR LED and phototransistor measuring incident reflection.
subverts... (Score:3)
The word you're looking for is "subverts".
Apple *subverts* US Government's Push for a National Right-to-Repair Bill.
Sure, you'll get your "right to repair" law, in a form that gives Apple exactly what they want and changes nothing for the rest of you.
In theory, regular people (as demonstrated by enthusiasts with tons of time on their hands) will be able to replace components.
And there will be a youtube video to prove it. Maybe two.
But you're never going to stop by Bubba & Earl's iphone repair and live bait shop and get your iphone screen replaced for the actual cost to produce a spare screen.
Re: (Score:2)
But you're never going to stop by Bubba & Earl's iphone repair and live bait shop and get your iphone screen replaced for the actual cost to produce a spare screen.
Don't Bubba and Earl deserve to be paid for their time?
Is anyone else selling repair parts at cost? IME, no, not in any industry.
Re: (Score:2)
Used car strategy (Score:3)
Re: (Score:1)
Subverts pairing parts (Score:2)
Rawr.
I'm cynical about the move - looking for the trap (Score:2)
I repair Apple devices, at the microscopic electronics level; I am anticipating some sort of trap in this "change of heart" out of Apple.
I like their gear but their progressive obsession with pairing everything is becoming quite problematic; it effectively nerfs a large portion of what could be done.
Thankfully at least while they can go about pairing a lot of things, there's still a good number of repairs that don't involve the paired parts.
What I'd like to see is the ability to purchase brand-specific var