Why can’t we repair our own tech?
‘They don’t make things like they used to’ is a phrase we’ve all heard. It’s no secret that the lifecycle of products, especially tech, is much shorter than it once was. Computer lifespan decreased steadily from 1985 to 2000 going from 10.7 years in 1985 to 5.5 years in 2000. Now, the average lifespan is only three to five years, while smartphones are only two to three years.The worst part about all of it is that if/when something breaks, there is almost no way to repair it ourselves, and many times the cost to fix it is more than a new phone would be. Luckily, this is starting to change with the introduction of the Right to Repair movement.
Right to Repair runs a lot deeper than just fixing the cracked screen on your smartphone; it is about owning your products. The idea was sparked by the contractual monopolies that control digital products. For example, if you buy an album on iTunes (instead of just streaming it on Apple Music), it isn’t the same as buying a physical CD or vinyl. You only receive a digital license that has rules and a contract held by Apple.
Instead of continuing a contract between buyer and seller, buyers are demanding the same rights as if they purchased a physical product. The goal is to let customers own and thus repair their own products instead of being forced to use the original manufacturer for repairs or buying a new replacement.
In June, President Joe Biden introduced a new bill that advocates for manufacturers to require supplies and replacement pieces “for the purposes of diagnosis, maintenance, or repair of such equipment, to independent repair providers or owners of such digital electronic equipment manufactured by or on behalf of, or sold or otherwise supplied by the original equipment manufacturer.” This movement is happening in other parts of the world too. The EU has a repair program in place, too. Their goals are to increase E-waste recycling and increase the lifespan of our digital products.
On the tech end, Apple has been notoriously known for selling tech that prohibits users from repairing on their own (if you try to repair on your own, Apple holds the right to void your warranty). However, last month Apple announced that they were going to make parts for repair for the iPhone 12 and 13 available directly to consumers. There is a potential they will expand this program to include other devices in the future too. Pressure from lawmakers in ensuring this progress.
John Deere & Co is another company in the hot seat for not allowing simple repairs. Three years ago, they told consumers they would make their equipment easy to repair. In July of this year, farmers sued the company because they wanted access to the software that ran the tractors so they could repair their own equipment. John Deere now has a DIY resource page with spare parts, manuals, and electronic readings, but it hasn’t been enough. It would not be difficult for a company like John Deere to comply with a Right to Repair law, but they want to hold on to ‘their’ software even after someone has bought it with their product purchase. This puts increased pressure on designers, manufacturers, and dealers to get creative and intentional with how products are designed so repairs can be done quicker and safer.
Repair monopolies are dangerous. The power of truly owning something gives people confidence and loyalty to a brand instead of a forced hand. Not only do they harm people, but our planet. Currently, only 27 states have active Right to Repair bills in place. Of course, there are risks — consumers could cause more damage to their products, hackers could more easily get into devices, and so on, but many believe the rewards outweigh the risks. This is important for all industries, not just tech. All products, especially those from high-end brands have an opportunity to collaborate with their users. No brand is above giving their consumers tools to succeed. This is more than just fixing your stuff; it’s about empowering people to know and understand what they use every day. We are far more capable than we give ourselves credit for, especially with the right tools in hand.
