The FTC Publishes a report for Congress titled "Nixing the Fix" on Repair Restrictions found in Smartphone and Auto Sectors
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has published an in-depth report covering how product repair restrictions from manufacturers like Apple have a negative impact on consumers, especially minorities, and small businesses.
The report's executive summary in-part states that "The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC” or “Commission”) submits this report pursuant to Congress’s directive for the Commission to report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate regarding anticompetitive practices related to repair markets. When directing the Commission to issue this report, Congress noted that it "is aware of the FTC’s ongoing review of how manufacturers—in particular mobile phone and car manufacturers—may limit repairs by consumers and repair shops, and how those limitations may increase costs, limit choice, and impact consumers’ rights under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act." Congress specifically directed the FTC to include recommendations on how to best address these problems.