The user's right to fix their personal mobile devices without limitations imposed by the manufacturers
The Right to Repair movement is gathering steam across the globe, driven by growing public concern over e-waste and a desire for greater control over the products they own. This movement, which advocates for consumers' legal right to fix and modify the products they own without manufacturer intervention, has gained significant traction, particularly in the personal electronics space.
In the United States, six states - California, Colorado, Minnesota, Maine, New York, and Oregon - have passed some form of Right to Repair legislation. These bills, which vary in scope, aim to make it easier for consumers to access repair manuals, parts, and tools, thereby promoting a more sustainable economy and reducing electronic waste.
The Right to Repair movement has garnered bipartisan support in the U.S., reflecting its broad appeal. However, it's an ongoing conflict between manufacturers and consumers, with manufacturers arguing that restrictions help prevent security risks, liability issues, and counterfeit parts, while critics say they come at the expense of users' freedom and contribute to unnecessary waste.
Apple, one of the most influential players in the electronics industry, has long been at the forefront of this debate. The tech giant has faced criticism for practices like parts pairing, which uses software to verify and approve each individual component, and throttling older iPhone performance through software updates, which some saw as a form of planned obsolescence.
However, Apple surprised many in 2023 by endorsing California's Right to Repair bill. In 2024, the company announced it would begin supporting used genuine Apple parts in newer iPhones, easing some restrictions.
The current president's stance on the Right to Repair is hard to predict, as he has never directly addressed the issue. During his term, Trump never directly addressed the Right to Repair issue, although he did post a social media comment trolling McDonald's "broken" ice cream machines, a situation linked to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act that restricts third-parties from fixing proprietary equipment.
Globally, the Right to Repair is making strides. Poland, Portugal, and Slovenia have passed right to repair laws, and since June 2025, the European Union has new repairability requirements for smartphones and tablets. Countries like Canada and Australia, as well as the European Union, already have Right to Repair laws in place.
As of March 2022, at least 20 state legislatures in the U.S. are actively debating Right to Repair bills. The movement's momentum shows no signs of slowing, as it continues to push for a more sustainable, consumer-friendly approach to product repair and maintenance.
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