Picture this. A farmer is out in the fields when his $300,000 John Deere tractor shuts off with an error code. He knows what’s wrong. But he can’t touch it. An authorized (pricey) technician must come to his farm, unlock the tractor’s operating system and fix it.
You see, the farmer doesn’t own the right to repair something he paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for. That’s not just a farmer’s problem. It’s yours and mine, too.
🚜 Why this matters
This isn’t limited to tractors. The same issue affects our phone, TV, car, smart fridge, laptop, home automation system and more.
If a part breaks, the manufacturer can decide whether or not you’re allowed to fix it. Companies use proprietary screws, secret tool kits and software locks to trap us in their repair quicksand. They can make parts and tools unavailable. They can lock you out of the software. Even worse, they can void your warranty if you dare take it to anyone outside their little repair club.
John Deere now faces a major lawsuit from the Federal Trade Commission and several states for blocking farmers from fixing their own machines. The courts recently ruled the case can move forward, and that’s a big win.
Right to repair laws would force companies to make parts, tools and manuals available. They would stop manufacturers from using software to block you from changing a battery, replacing a screen or updating a component without their say-so.
📈 How tech companies rate
I took a look at The Public Interest Network’s “Failing the Fix” report that graded various tech companies:
- Smartphones: Apple and Google top the list with B– grades; Motorola trails at C+ and Samsung lags with C–.
- Laptops: ASUS leads with an A–; Acer follows with B+; Dell, Samsung and Microsoft tie at B–; HP scores C; Apple earns C–; and Lenovo falls to F, due to no repair data on most models.
You can see the entire report here. I thought it was interesting.
🕺 What you can do
Continue reading →
