The hottest Consumer Rights Substack posts right now

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The Week in Repair: March 6-12

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 15 Mar 22
🕹 Technology Repairability Legislation Consumer Rights Environmental Impact Electronic Devices
  1. Ownership of Tesla vehicle data is a complex issue that goes beyond just who owns it, including access, repurposing, and usage.
  2. Wheelchair users in Massachusetts face challenges with slow repairs and limited legal protections, highlighting the need for stronger state laws.
  3. Manufacturers employing tactics like limiting repair options restrict consumer choice and have economic consequences, spurring the need to protect the right to repair.

The Week in Repair: Feb 27 - March 5

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 07 Mar 22
🕹 Technology Circular Economy Right-to-repair Sustainability Consumer Rights
  1. Farmers unions petition FTC for action against John Deere's unfair competition practices.
  2. EU lawmakers seek quicker adoption of circular economy practices to reduce environmental impact of resource extraction.
  3. Extended warranties are seen as beneficial for cost-effective repairs, but right to repair initiatives are gaining momentum in ensuring repair options for consumers.

The Week in Repair: Feb 8-15

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 16 Feb 22
🕹 Technology Repair Legislation Sustainability Consumer Rights Environment
  1. The right-to-repair movement is gaining momentum globally, empowering individuals to fix their own devices and reduce waste.
  2. Manufacturers are facing challenges in providing access to spare parts, repair information, and tools, hindering independent repair shops and DIY fixers.
  3. An increasing number of individuals and organizations are advocating for the right to repair, pushing for legislative changes to support repairability and sustainability.

The Week in Repair: Jan 18-25

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 28 Jan 22
🕹 Technology Consumer Rights Circular Economy Legislation Tech industry
  1. President Biden supports right to repair to give customers more choice in fixing items, from smartphones to tractors, to lower costs and support independent repair shops.
  2. The movement for 'Fixing Factories' is growing in the UK, helping reduce e-waste, save money, and create new job opportunities, such as paid positions through organizations like the Restart Project and Possible.
  3. Various states, countries, and companies are making strides in advocating for right to repair laws and initiatives, such as LG's promise to make home appliance software upgradeable and the proposed EU legislation for consumer right to repair.

Biden's crackdown on monopolies gave a pass to health insurers when they should have been the focus.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 19 implied HN points • 13 Jul 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Healthcare policy Regulation Monopolies Political Accountability Consumer Rights
  1. Health insurers have grown a lot since 2008, with some now being among the largest companies in America. This is a big change that affects consumers' choices and costs.
  2. Despite the focus on hospitals and drug companies, health insurers haven't faced much scrutiny for rising costs. The current system allows insurers to raise prices without clear benefits for consumers.
  3. The idea of having real choices in health insurance is mostly a myth. Many people find they have limited options, especially if their employer decides their coverage.
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How Much Could Repair Save Americans? (Hint: It’s a Really Big Number.)

Fight to Repair • 0 implied HN points • 19 Jan 21
💼 Business Consumer Rights Legislation Economic Impact
  1. The economic argument for repair highlights significant savings for Americans, with potential benefits of around $300 per household per year, totaling $36.6 billion annually.
  2. Access to robust repair options can reduce the cost of owning electronics by almost a quarter (22%) for the average American family.
  3. Legislators should consider the economic impact of promoting a repair economy, which not only benefits consumers, but also creates jobs and supports the local economy.

French Authorities Investigate Apple Part Pairing as Deceptive Business Practices

Fight to Repair • 0 implied HN points • 18 May 23
💼 Business Technology Repair Environmental Lawsuits Consumer Rights
  1. French authorities are investigating Apple for possibly deceptive business practices related to part pairing and limiting repairs.
  2. Legal battles against manufacturers over repair restrictions, like John Deere and Tesla, are on the rise.
  3. Logitech and iFixit have teamed up to offer spare parts and repair guides for Logitech's mice to promote self-repairing.

My Dan Rather

My Home Office Hacks • 0 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare policy Consumer Rights
  1. Frank Lobb's work highlights how consumers shouldn't have to pay for healthcare costs that insurance doesn't cover. He argues that agreements between providers and insurers protect consumers from paying unexpected bills.
  2. If you receive a healthcare bill, you can ask for an explanation within 30 days, and you don't have to pay until you get that explanation in writing. This helps ensure fairness in healthcare billing.
  3. Starting a morning routine can be beneficial. Trying out the 5 AM Club, which includes exercise, meditation, and learning, can help you wake up refreshed and focused.

Fight to Repair Weekly: Week of November 7, 2022

Fight to Repair • 0 implied HN points • 11 Nov 22
🕹 Technology Repair Antitrust Consumer Rights Corporate Power Environmental Activism
  1. FTC is stepping up to enforce unfair competition laws, aiming to crack down on companies using unfair tactics for advantage.
  2. Repair-focused class action lawsuits against manufacturers like Harley Davidson and John Deere are progressing, showing a pushback against restrictions on repair.
  3. Articles highlight challenges in repairing modern products like phones and bicycles, emphasizing the importance of the right to repair movement.

A Number One!! NY Passes Digital Fair Repair Act

Fight to Repair • 0 implied HN points • 03 Jun 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Advocacy Consumer Rights State Politics
  1. New York passed the Digital Fair Repair Act, becoming the first state to do so, enabling consumers to repair their electronics and reducing waste.
  2. Years of work by right to repair advocates led to this milestone, overcoming heavy lobbying from tech firms and previous failures in other states.
  3. The passing of the act is a win for consumers, small businesses, and the environment, allowing easier access to spare parts, repair software, and service diagrams for a wide range of devices.

FTC’s Vote Shows Right to Repair’s Bipartisan Face

Fight to Repair • 0 implied HN points • 25 Jul 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Bipartisan Right-to-repair Regulation Consumer Rights
  1. FTC's vote on right to repair had bipartisan support from 3 Democrats and 2 Republicans, indicating a shift in political unity on consumer issues.
  2. The FTC is moving to target repair restrictions that violate antitrust laws and unfair practices, showing a commitment to promoting open repair markets.
  3. The bipartisan consensus on right to repair is a significant step in reigning in concentrations of corporate power in various sectors like agriculture and healthcare.

FTC Report Slams OEM Restrictions on Repair

Fight to Repair • 0 implied HN points • 07 May 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Legislation Consumer Rights Right-to-repair
  1. FTC strongly supports the legal right to repair, criticizing repair restrictions by various manufacturers.
  2. The FTC's report found no evidence to justify manufacturers' repair restrictions, debunking claims of safety risks and cybersecurity concerns.
  3. The report is a significant win for right-to-repair advocates, offering hope for potential future legislative action and enforcement of existing laws.