Rita L. Khuri / Android Authority
TL; DR
- New York has passed the Digital Fair Repair Act.
- The bill is the first in the United States to require electronics manufacturers to support right-to-repair.
Right-to-repair advocates have won a landslide victory, with New York passing the first such law in the United States by an overwhelming majority.
Right-to-repair has become a growing concern across many industries, but especially the electronics industry. As phones, computers and tablets become more complex, it is becoming increasingly difficult for consumers to repair themselves. In some cases, any attempt to do so invalidates the warranty. With the Digital Fair Repair Act (DFRA), New York is the first state to address this issue.
The new bill would require electronics manufacturers to sell the necessary equipment and parts so that customers can repair their devices, as well as provide the necessary documentation to assist them.
Some manufacturers, such as Apple, Samsung, Google and Microsoft, have already started self-repair programs, despite the backlash against such laws. The initial review of Apple’s program, which was actually the first to reach the market, was less than that. Users have reportedly received a 79lbs tool to repair a typical iPhone. Meanwhile, the company puts $ 1,200 blocks on a user’s credit card to ensure they return the rented equipment.
New York law requires companies to provide documentation and to sell equipment “on fair and reasonable terms.” It remains to be seen what they will do and how well they will be implemented.
