Editorial: Legislature should pass right to repair bill | Opinion
When the battery on a cell phone falters or when the screen is shattered, some people see it as a signal: Time to get a new phone.
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When the battery on a cell phone falters or when the screen is shattered, some people see it as a signal: Time to get a new phone.
For a decade, it was easy to get help repairing an iPhone. Cracked screens could be replaced in minutes, and broken cameras could be exchanged without a hitch.
In recent years, an increasing number of consumers have encountered frustration due to limited repair options for their electronic devices, sparking a global movement known as ‘right-to-repair’. This movement contends that individuals should have the autonomy to repair their products or choose their preferred technician.
Since 2017, iPhone repairs have been a minefield. New batteries can trigger warning messages, replacement screens can disable a phone’s brightness settings, and substitute selfie cameras can malfunction.
The company codes its devices with software that complicates repairs by triggering safety warnings and malfunctions.