Government moves in favor of the cell phone repair industry

One of the weirdest and dumbest parts of modern digital life is how little control consumers have over the products they buy. The primary cause of these challenges is the fact that large tech companies and equipment manufacturers have almost always restricted independent repairs of their products. However, there are two sides to this.

While manufacturers have historically imposed repair restrictions on their products, this is likely to change, thanks to the new presidential directive order. The executive order gives a boost to independent device repairs – good news to the cell phone repair industry – which could let you fix your iPhone or just call any independent repair shop.

This post will discuss the sweeping executive order meant to curb the anticompetitive restrictions that limit end users’ ability to repair their devices.

President Joe Biden’s right-to-repair order

Many tech-centric and big device manufacturers, like Apple, Microsoft, Samsung, and John Deere, have increasingly designed products that are difficult to repair without specialized equipment and instruction. This forces customers only to use authorized repair shops; otherwise, their device’s warranty will be void.

The executive order signed by President Joe Biden is seen as a big win for proponents of right-to-repair as it brands repair restrictions by tech companies as anticompetitive. Considering that it (order) aims at promoting competition, it includes a provision directing the Federal Trade Commission to issue rules limiting manufacturers from imposing restrictions on using independent repair shops or doing DIY repairs.

Notably, the new directive comes a couple of months after the FTC released a 54-page report that concluded that many consumer products are becoming harder to fix because repair requires special equipment that manufacturers restrict access to. Right-of-repair advocates argued that tech companies and equipment makers intentionally make it difficult for consumers to seek independent repairs so that they go back to manufacturers for even simple fixes. According to the report, there is also no substantial evidence to support repair restrictions by manufacturers.

That said, when the new directive order is implemented, iPhone repair and Samsung repair will be easier, meaning you will be less likely to replace your devices before the end of their useful life.

Responding to the right to repair movement, Steve Wozniak said that companies inhibit independent repairs so that they can have power and control over everything. During the video appearance, the Apple co-founder expressed his support by showing how being exposed to technology and electronics led to the founding of Apple. However, he also expressed his fear that allowing iPhones to be repaired would pose a danger and hamper the designs. This means they are still actively fighting the right to repair legislation.

All in all, the FTC is likely to act quickly around the right to repair because the order is coming directly from the White House. This will be a big win for every American – you, me, hospital administrators, and farmers – who buy products that are difficult to fix.

Conclusion

When the FTC writes the new rules, it means having more repair choices to yourself, which in turn will protect the environment. This will also help save money and reduce time wasted when waiting for the manufacturer’s technician. Keep in mind, these Manufacture techs are not found easy and are normally internal repair techs to the company, not at your local shop.

However, your local shop can do things to ensure they are working to the highest standard. Shops can get WISE and CellBotics Certified which helps prove they work to a standard, which is one of the manufacturers may point, independents want to work at their own rules and not meet the standards of fixing the device. Some techs use harsh chemicals and strong methods not safe for the device. Some techs do this on purpose, some do not, if you use a WISE or CellBotics certified technician or shop you are getting a tech who knows how to repair properly as the WISE program was made with the manufactures!

As we all anticipate the FTC to draft the new regulations that allow iPhones to be repaired, you can enroll in CellBotics and train how to repair phones, computers, and other tech devices to a standard accepted nationwide. When these regulations roll out, you may even be required to be trained like they do in California, which makes sense for the consumer and the manufacturer to protect all devices.

We have to meet in the middle with the independent repair space, manufactures, consumers, and devices all in the focus of doing what’s right.

Thank you for reading my blog!!

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