According to Square Trade, Americans reported handing out $3.4 billion to replace their cellphone screens in 2017.
States across the U.S. have introduced the Right to Repair Act due to these skyrocketing costs. Last year the act got a boost from Presidential race contenders Senator Bernie Sanders and Senator Elizabeth Warren.
Consumers are waiting for this as it will allow them more economical options when it comes to repairing or replacing a device.
Where does it stand right now? Keep reading as we break it down right here.
What Is the Right to Repair Act?
In 2018, when the new congressional terms began, many states introduced legislation to help consumers. Under this legislation, manufacturers must provide fair access to servicing information and replacement parts to owners and independent repair businesses.
Many states, including California, attempted to pass Digital Right to Repair legislation. But some manufacturers, including Apple, have successfully lobbied against it.
Still, the bill in Massachusetts shows great promise at the moment. Consumers are forced to either purchase new devices when theirs can’t be repaired or they need to go back to the manufacturer. This could be because phone or shop game console parts aren’t available or the costs of repairs are very high.
Repair Advocacy Groups
Even with manufacturers successfully blocking the passage of digital right to repair bills in some states, advocacy groups, like Repair, are pushing ahead with renewed enthusiasm. The good news is the pressure from these groups is beginning to work.
In 2018, the Library of Congress and the U.S. Copyright Office passed new rules that give repair businesses and consumers more latitude to hack device software and repair them legally.
Besides, in 2019 Apple announced it would begin providing repair guides, parts, and tools to authorized repair businesses. It is a significant change following years of lobbying against laws where it would be required to do this.
Digital e-Waste
Beyond the cost to repair devices is the digital e-waste being caused by the disposal of devices that can’t be fixed.
According to a report by United Nations University, there were 53.6 million tons in e-waste in 2019 globally. That’s an increase of 21 percent from five years before.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that Americans spent $71 million on telephone and communications equipment in 2019. What’s more, only 19 states ban disposing of electronic devices in the regular trash. Passing digital right to repair laws will help to reduce these figures dramatically.
Will Massachusetts Be the First to Pass a Digital Right to Repair Act?
It looks very likely as the bill has moved out of committee in both the House and Senate. It seems poised since it has moved further than any similar law in other states.
The right to repair activists are optimistic even as we wait for both houses to vote. According to Kyle Wiens of iFixit, significant portions of both houses co-sponsored this bill. He says if leadership allows a floor vote, the bill will pass.
What’s Next?
The right to repair is looking very promising right now. And if the bill in Massachusetts passes, that is a significant win for activists, consumers, and advocacy groups.
Did you enjoy this post? Check back for more articles like this to stay in the know.
