The hottest Right-to-repair Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Technology Topics

Sorry, Davos: e-waste is a tragedy, not an opportunity

Fight to Repair • 138 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment E-Waste Right-to-repair Circular Economy Sustainability Recycling
  1. E-waste is a significant problem globally, causing harm to people and ecological systems through pollution, inhumane extraction of raw materials, and other disasters.
  2. The idea pushed by some, like the World Economic Forum, that e-waste can be seen as a financial opportunity and a way to boost the economy is criticized as overlooking the true impact and complexity of the issue.
  3. Repairing electronics rather than constant disposal is highlighted as a more sustainable solution that could lead to a more resilient community, a reduction in repair costs, and the circulation of money locally.

Why Monopolies Hate Repair

Fight to Repair • 118 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
💼 Business Monopolies Repair Market Power Right-to-repair Competition
  1. The fight for the right to repair is closely tied to the fight against monopolies. Companies like Apple use control over repairs to limit competition and maximize profit.
  2. Monopolies can hinder a circular economy by prioritizing profit over repairability. The push for a real circular economy requires challenging traditional capitalist notions.
  3. Legislation like the Digital Markets Act can help combat the restrictive practices of monopolies and create a more repair-friendly future. Advocating for right to repair policies and regulations is crucial in this fight.

"Buy, Don't Repair" Is Subtle Message of Google Ad Campaign

Fight to Repair • 138 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Repair Consumer Culture Right-to-repair Data Privacy
  1. The Google ad campaign conveys the message of 'Buy, Don't Repair' by promoting replacing products over repairing them, highlighting the impact of consumer culture and convenience.
  2. There is a significant focus on increasing the longevity of products through right to repair initiatives, emphasizing the importance of repairing, reusing, and reducing waste before resorting to recycling.
  3. Various issues related to repair and longevity, such as companies limiting repair resources, the spread of 'Deere disease' affecting maintenance, and the impact of support policies on vintage products, are highlighted in the text.

Google Goes To Bat For Right To Repair In Oregon

Fight to Repair • 59 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Repairability Privacy Environmental Impact Right-to-repair
  1. Google endorses the right to repair, changing its corporate position and supporting a legal right for users to repair their devices.
  2. Google is backing comprehensive right to repair legislation in Oregon and actively lobbying for its passage.
  3. Although Google's endorsement is a significant shift, their focus on parts assemblies over individual components has been critiqued by right to repair advocates.

Colorado Calls For Repair Scores

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Repairability Right-to-repair E-Waste Legislation Consumer behavior
  1. Colorado's legislature passed a resolution calling for a national scoring system for electronic device repairs, aiming to make repairability of products easy to understand when buying electronics.
  2. Repair scores, like the one adopted in France, have been shown to influence consumer behavior and create awareness about repairability options.
  3. Repair scores are part of a broader effort to reduce e-waste and empower consumers by making hidden costs of device purchases more apparent.
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Tesla Beats Back Anti-Trust Repair Lawsuit, But Deere's Is Headed To Court

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
💼 Business Antitrust EVs Right-to-repair Legislation Manufacturers
  1. Tesla won an antitrust case on repair restrictions, but Deere's lawsuit is moving forward. Tesla uses practices inflating repair costs.
  2. California is pushing for standardized EV diagnostic laws to make repairs more accessible and affordable.
  3. John Deere faces an antitrust lawsuit alleging constraints on repair services. The plaintiffs have succeeded in pursuing their claims against the company.

REPAIR Act Advances In U.S. House

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 03 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Regulations Courts Right-to-repair Political Impact
  1. The REPAIR Act advanced in the U.S. House, a critical step towards a federal law for car repair, though it still has a long way to go.
  2. The bill aims to ensure access to vehicle diagnostic data for consumers and independent repair shops, based on a Massachusetts law updated in 2020.
  3. The bi-partisan support for the REPAIR Act highlights the importance of preserving consumer choice and access to fair vehicle repair options.

From Farms to Pharmaceuticals: It’s the Monopoly, Stupid!

Fight to Repair • 59 implied HN points • 07 Jul 23
💼 Business Monopoly Right-to-repair
  1. Market concentration, driven by monopolies, is increasing costs in various sectors from farms to pharmacies.
  2. Design patents on standard vehicle parts contribute to higher repair costs and insurance premiums for car owners.
  3. Addressing market concentration through smarter laws and better enforcement of anti-trust policies can help create fairer market conditions for consumers.

Repairable Devices Shift Focus To Software Support

Fight to Repair • 59 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Repairability Right-to-repair Software updates Electronic Devices
  1. Repairable devices need software support to last longer, not just physical repairs.
  2. Software plays a crucial role in the obsolescence of devices, like limiting the lifespan of smartphones with discontinued software updates.
  3. Right to repair laws address physical repairs, but not the need for updated software as devices age, highlighting the importance of focusing on software longevity.

Bicycles: An Antidote To Throw-Away Culture

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 28 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Repair Sustainability Right-to-repair Electronics Environment
  1. Bicycles can serve as a model for repairing and reusing items, fostering community connections, and resisting over-consumption.
  2. Understanding how to repair objects we rely on makes us more self-reliant, teaches us to help others, and deepens our respect for the materials and work that go into creating these objects.
  3. Promoting intentional ownership and repair of items, like bicycles, can help shift our global consumption habits, build community through repair organizations, and reduce waste in our society.

More than six billion smartphones on Earth, but who will fix them? Week in Repair

Fight to Repair • 59 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Repair Right-to-repair Legislation E-Waste
  1. Over 6.92 billion people own smartphones worldwide, making up 86.34% of the population. These devices typically last 2-3 years before adding to the growing e-waste crisis.
  2. Apprenticeships for device repair are crucial to address the demand for repair professionals. Establishing industry standards and training programs can create sustainable careers in tech.
  3. State legislatures are advancing Right to Repair bills for agricultural equipment and electronics, aiming to provide consumers and independent repair shops with parts, tools, and information to fix their devices.

Is the EU falling behind the U.S. on right to repair? Also: Proposed patent rules could fuel repair restrictions

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 09 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Right-to-repair Legislation Intellectual Property Environmental sustainability
  1. Recent victories in U.S. push ahead in promoting right to repair laws, surpassing the EU.
  2. Proposed patent rules by the US Patent Office could strengthen corporate power, limiting protections for small businesses and individuals.
  3. The decentralized nature of US legislation allows for quicker implementation of laws, while the EU faces centralized bureaucracy and delays in adopting new rules.

Cochlear Implant Users Face Grim Future Without Repair or Upgrades

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
🏥 Health Politics Medical Devices Right-to-repair E-Waste Cybersecurity Legislation
  1. Cochlear implant users, especially low-income earners, face challenges when their devices become obsolete or in need of repair, potentially leading to loss of hearing if they can't afford upgrades.
  2. Repairing electronics could save Americans $50 billion annually; household could save approximately $382 per year by repairing electronics instead of replacing them.
  3. Tensions between corporate profits and the care of individuals emerge in the realm of medical devices, showing the importance of supporting repair initiatives and community aid over consumption.

Report: 86% of Appliance Makers Withhold Repair Manuals - Week in Repair

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 02 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Repair Right-to-repair Consumer Rights
  1. 86% of appliance makers do not provide full repair instructions, making it difficult for consumers and repair professionals to fix appliances.
  2. Manufacturers often restrict access to repair information and require expensive subscriptions to software tools, limiting owner and independent repair options.
  3. Investigations have revealed that manufacturers may discourage repair to promote new product purchases, but there are efforts like the FTC considering regulations to strengthen consumer rights to repair.

Precision Agriculture Has Its Cassandra. His Name Is Kevin.

Fight to Repair • 3 HN points • 07 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Data Ownership Cybersecurity Right-to-repair
  1. Precision agriculture technologies are transforming farming, including autonomous tractors and smart spraying systems.
  2. The adoption of precision agriculture may lead to reduced demand for human labor on farms and favor large corporate producers over smaller farms.
  3. There are concerns regarding the control and monetization of valuable farm data by equipment manufacturers, risk of cyber attacks, and potential negative impact on small and independent farmers.

In Massachusetts: expected ruling on auto right to repair is just the start

Fight to Repair • 59 implied HN points • 01 Jul 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Automakers Right-to-repair Court ruling
  1. A ruling in a Massachusetts case on auto right to repair is pending, revealing ongoing challenges for car owners to access maintenance and repair data.
  2. Automakers are likely to appeal any decision against them, potentially prolonging the legal battle and affecting car owners' access to essential data.
  3. Federal action, such as the proposed REPAIR and SMART Acts, is needed to address the imbalance between automakers and consumers in the automobile repair industry.

Fight to Repair Daily: Friday October 14, 2022

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 14 Oct 22
🌞 Climate & Environment E-Waste Recycling Circular Economy Right-to-repair Technology
  1. International E-waste Day brings attention to the impact of trashing electronics, especially in countries with high e-waste generation.
  2. The need to focus on the pre-consumer stage and the importance of using recycled materials and completing the circular economy in tech.
  3. Efforts are being made to promote repair-friendly practices, such as Framework introducing a refurbished program to reuse consumer waste.

“It Just Struck Me As Wrong.” Kyle Wiens on Apple’s War on Customer Repair and the Birth of iFixit

Fight to Repair • 59 implied HN points • 15 May 22
🕹 Technology Repair Right-to-repair Apple Podcast
  1. Kyle Wiens founded iFixit after being inspired by Apple's restrictive behavior towards repair information, leading to a global right to repair movement.
  2. Wiens saw the need for individuals to have access to repair information not provided by manufacturers, sparking the creation of iFixit's platform for user-generated service manuals.
  3. The journey towards establishing the right to repair involved challenges, learnings about the influence of corporations, and ongoing efforts in various states to pass right to repair laws.

Fight to Repair Daily: Friday, September 23, 2022

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 23 Sep 22
💼 Business Right-to-repair
  1. A National 'Right to Repair' Bill is unlikely in the U.S. due to limited interest from lawmakers and challenges with a split congress.
  2. Progress on right to repair legislation is slow, but there is increased interest from federal lawmakers.
  3. Connecting with right to repair is more effective when framed in everyday material terms, like broken tractors, to resonate with people.

Fight to Repair Daily: August 19, 2022

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 21 Aug 22
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Right-to-repair
  1. Cybersecurity in agtech, highlighted by the John Deere hack, is crucial with leading companies like John Deere being continuously targeted by hackers.
  2. The right-to-repair movement benefits users by allowing for easier and more affordable repairs, while companies may need to adapt to maintain profitability.
  3. Ownership of products is evolving, with subscription-based services becoming more common, raising questions about what consumers truly own when they purchase hardware.

This Week in Vegas: DEF CON Does Repair

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 09 Aug 22
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Right-to-repair Hacking Internet
  1. DEF CON is a significant hacking conference where cybersecurity community discusses important topics and works towards a more secure future.
  2. The right to repair movement is gaining traction and challenging monopolies on service and repair by big corporations, promoting a circular economy and enhancing security and privacy protections.
  3. Other discussions at DEF CON also focus on the importance of medical device repair and the need for patients to have the ability to modify and improve their own technology.

Fight to Repair Daily: July 18, 2022

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 19 Jul 22
🕹 Technology Repair Right-to-repair Legislation Consumer Rights Electronic Devices
  1. Microsoft's Surface Laptop SE marks a significant moment where big tech is starting to take the right to repair seriously, offering repairable and available parts.
  2. The US is moving towards self-repair with bipartisan bills introduced in Congress to protect consumer rights to repair their products and vehicles, amid issues of warranty voiding and data ownership concerns.
  3. College campuses, including the students, are criticized for being unaware and uninvolved in countering corporate power and abuses, focusing more on other issues like diversity and politically correct speech.

Federal Bill Could Fix Faltering Auto Right to Repair

Fight to Repair • 59 implied HN points • 06 Feb 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Automobiles Right-to-repair
  1. The Massachusetts law on auto right to repair set a benchmark, but lacks federal support. The REPAIR Act aims to address this gap and maintain consumer choice in auto repair.
  2. Despite Massachusetts' success, other states have not followed suit in implementing auto right to repair laws. Automakers are pushing back, with potential impact on owner's ability to repair vehicles.
  3. Automakers have been resistant to granting access to telematics data for repair, sparking legal battles and industry challenges. Passage of the REPAIR Act may offer hope for federal safeguards on this issue.

Repair-flation? Apple Continues Cost Increases of Battery Replacements - Week in Repair

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 04 Jan 23
🕹 Technology Repair Right-to-repair Environmental Impact
  1. Apple is increasing the costs of battery replacements for iPhones, iPads, and Macs, making it more expensive for users to get their devices fixed.
  2. Apple strategically makes repair difficult and expensive by limiting third-party repairs through software locks and pricey authorized service, pushing users towards upgrading instead of repairing.
  3. In a market where competition is scarce, like smartphones, rising repair costs will likely drive more people to repair by necessity rather than choice, showcasing the need for affordable repair options.

The Week In Repair: May 8 - 14

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 16 May 22
🕹 Technology Repair Right-to-repair Apple Microsoft Automakers
  1. Efforts are being made to protect the medical right to repair by hospitals, repairers, and public health groups to ensure competition in the industry.
  2. Caterpillar is pioneering the practice of refurbishing old engines, thereby promoting sustainability, reducing costs, and boosting revenue from services.
  3. Microsoft's closure of physical stores has impacted its repairability efforts, showing the importance of accessible repair centers for customers to learn, seek help, and fix devices.

The Week in Repair: April 24-30

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 02 May 22
🕹 Technology Repairs Tech Companies Right-to-repair Environment Legislation
  1. Colorado is on track to pass a groundbreaking right to repair law for wheelchairs, marking progress outside the automotive realm.
  2. Big tech companies like Apple and Microsoft are beginning to embrace repairability as consumer pressure and legislation push for change.
  3. Repairing devices instead of replacing them, as shown by Microsoft's study, is not only environmentally beneficial but also paves the way for greater repairability.

Fight to Repair Weekly: Week of November 14, 2022

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 16 Nov 22
🕹 Technology Repair Circular Economy Right-to-repair Electronics Recycling
  1. France is offering cash bonuses to consumers to repair their electronics, leading the way towards a circular economy.
  2. Washington D.C. has launched an interactive map to promote repair, reuse, and second-hand shopping, showing a commitment to reducing waste.
  3. Repair initiatives like these show a shift towards prioritizing sustainability and waste reduction over convenience and consumerism.

Fight to Repair Daily: Friday October 21, 2022

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 22 Oct 22
🕹 Technology Repair Software Legislation Right-to-repair
  1. High tech cars are becoming complex with sensors and computer chips, making repairs more difficult and expensive for consumers.
  2. New Jersey is considering a law to ban subscriptions for car hardware features, preventing automakers from charging extra fees for using built-in hardware.
  3. The FTC is proposing an initiative to require companies to provide repair instructions with household appliances, aiming to strengthen consumers' right to repair products and potentially reduce repair costs.

Fight to Repair Daily: Monday October 17, 2022

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 18 Oct 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Right-to-repair Agriculture Food Systems E-Waste
  1. The FTC is proposing a new rule that would require major appliances to come with repair instructions, enhancing consumers' right to repair.
  2. A Democratic candidate in Kansas is advocating for a federal right to repair law in the agriculture sector to help farmers save money and time on equipment maintenance.
  3. Maine is moving towards including a 'right to repair' question on the 2023 ballot, aiming to enable vehicle repairs at independent shops or by vehicle owners.

Fight to Repair Daily: Wednesday August 31, 2022

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 31 Aug 22
🕹 Technology Repair Corporate Influence Automotive Industry Right-to-repair
  1. Corporations like Amazon and Apple often limit repair options for consumers to maintain control over products, using tactics like market consolidation and locked ecosystems.
  2. Open-source technology in farm equipment offers a repairable, environmentally friendly alternative, beneficial for small farms adapting to climate change.
  3. The Auto Care Association supports initiatives like the Maine Right to Repair Referendum, emphasizing the importance of consumer choice in vehicle maintenance and repair.

Fight to Repair Daily: Monday August 29, 2022

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 30 Aug 22
🕹 Technology Repairs Right-to-repair Mobile Phones
  1. An independent mechanic fixed a Tesla Model 3 for $15,000 less than Tesla's quoted price by using a simple repair procedure.
  2. A new paper outlines strategies for strengthening the right to repair, emphasizing the need to challenge manufacturer practices hindering repair accessibility.
  3. Consumer advocates are pushing for quicker implementation of the 'right to repair' policy, to combat high repair costs and promote longer-lasting products.

Fight to Repair Daily: August 26, 2022

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 26 Aug 22
🕹 Technology Repair Tech industry Right-to-repair Internet of Things
  1. Apple's self-repair expansion for Macbooks has faced criticism for making repairs seem less accessible and more complicated.
  2. The 'Right to Repair' movement is gaining traction, but manufacturers still have control over device repairs, particularly in the realm of IoT products.
  3. Appliance giant Beko is offering a 10-year parts warranty to promote repair over repurchasing, aligning with the EU's Right to Repair laws.

Fight to Repair Daily: August 17 2022

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 19 Aug 22
🕹 Technology Repairability Right-to-repair Environmental Impact
  1. Maine is facing opposition from automakers in its efforts to pass a right-to-repair law, with arguments over state authority and consumer choice.
  2. Expensive laptops may lead to regrets later on; opting for a cheaper laptop and investing in a PC for upgradability is worth considering.
  3. The EU's proposed expansion of the Ecodesign Directive aims to ensure sustainable products through criteria like durability, reparability, energy use, and digital product passports.

Fight to Repair Daily: August 17 2022

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 18 Aug 22
🕹 Technology Privacy Concerns Right-to-repair
  1. Cory Doctorow discusses the impact of DRM on consumer rights like the right to repair in a podcast. DRM can leave consumers at the mercy of companies by controlling products even after purchase.
  2. Amazon's acquisition of iRobot raises privacy concerns due to the potential sharing of home layouts. The deal must still go through regulatory approval.
  3. Maine auto repair shops are advocating for a right-to-repair referendum to protect the ability to repair new cars and trucks. They highlight the importance of consumer choice in repair options.

Repair-Off: 10 Month Old Fitness Tracker vs. 55 Year-Old Radio

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 14 Sep 21
🕹 Technology Repair E-Waste Right-to-repair Manufacturers Product Design
  1. Repair culture for old devices like radios involves accessible resources and manuals for DIY repairs, fostering sustainability and useful life extension.
  2. Modern electronics like FitBits often lack repair options, leading to replacement rather than fixing and contributing to e-waste accumulation.
  3. A right to repair law could empower consumers with access to schematics and parts to preserve electronics, but also necessitates a shift in manufacturer practices towards designing repairable products.

The Week In Repair: May 22-28

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 31 May 22
🕹 Technology Repair Circular Economy Right-to-repair EVs Open Source
  1. There is pushback on Apple's self service repair program due to the massive repair kit shipped to customers, with critics calling it excessive and expensive.
  2. Deere tractor owners are resorting to hacking due to restrictions on repairs and modifications set by the company, sparking the need for open source projects like Open Source Ecology & Farm Hack.
  3. Nike's new sneaker design embraces the circular economy by creating a disassemblable product to improve recycling rates, offering a more sustainable approach to footwear.

How We Lose The Right To Repair Our Cars

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 19 May 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Right-to-repair
  1. There is significant public support for the right to repair laws, with polls showing supermajority backing between 60-75% and even higher percentages in specific states like Massachusetts.
  2. Despite strong support from voters, opponents representing industry interests have successfully thwarted the passage of many right to repair bills in different states since 2014.
  3. The right to repair law in Massachusetts for automobiles, established in 2012, has been a significant success, serving as a model and benefitting consumers with affordable repair options and choices.

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: Jan 25-Feb 1

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 03 Feb 22
🕹 Technology Repairability Circular Economy Right-to-repair Sustainability Electronics
  1. Germany is introducing a repairability index to encourage companies to build products that are easier to repair, rather than replace.
  2. Legislation like House Bill 1810 and right to repair laws aim to make tech products more durable and repairable, reducing e-waste.
  3. A circular economy approach is needed for electric vehicles, emphasizing reuse, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing, and recycling to tackle environmental issues.