Wesley Hilliard
As California's SB 244 right-to-repair bill is routed through the capitol, Apple has voiced its support in a surprise move from the company.
Right to repair has become an increasing issue in Silicon Valley as lobbyists fight to keep repair control under mega-corps like Apple and Google. Bills like SB 244 have been openly opposed by Apple in the past, but this one has gotten the official stamp of approval per a letter sent by Apple's legal team.
According to TechCrunch, a letter was sent by Apple to California state senator Susan Talamantes Eggman voicing support for the impending bill. The endorsement comes as a slight surprise, though it's clear why Apple supports this bill versus previous iterations.
Apple launched the Self Service Repair program for iPhones in 2022 and has slowly expanded it into other products like select Macs. That means Apple is already in compliance with the SB 244 bill and won't have to change its operations as a result.
The bill is similar in scope and execution to a right-to-repair bill that passed in Minnesota in May. It builds on the existing Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act of 1970, which requires companies to provide repair facilities and service dealers to consumers within fair and reasonable terms.
SB 244 expands on this by setting strict terms, requiring parts, tools, and documentation for purchased products for up to seven years. This goes well beyond existing warranty requirements and is a boon to users and third-party repair shops seeking such materials.
"Apple's support for California's Right to Repair Act demonstrates the power of the movement that has been building for years and the ability for industries to partner with us to make good policy to benefit the people of California," Sen. Eggman said in a statement. "I'm grateful for their engagement on this issue and for leading among their peers when it comes to supporting access to repair."
The letter sent by Apple details why the company supports the bill in no uncertain terms. It mentions that the bill maintains user privacy and security, ensures official part use and requires disclosure when non-genuine parts are used, and doesn't compromise consumer safety or repair reliability.
The full letter can be read in the embed below.
Apple SB 244 by Mike Wuerthele on Scribd
Christine McKee
Mike Wuerthele
Malcolm Owen
Andrew O'Hara
Mike Wuerthele and Malcolm Owen
14 Comments
Wait - for the last several years we’ve seen a chorus of people screaming how iPhones and iPads are going to start blowing up, causing untold death and destruction if anyone besides Apple does the repair. Now that Apple is supporting a right to repair bill what will these people do? Is there enough crow to go around or are they going to start screaming how wrong Apple is to support such a bill?
I saw a pig flying earlier today.
The biggest reasons I can see for Apple to support such a law is that it won't require them to do anything more than they are doing now in order to comply with it, and so they can point to it and say "See, we're complying with the law! Aren't we great corporate citizens? Go us!"