Under new right-to-repair law, Coloradans gain the power to repair their cell phones, computers, and more
www.cpr.org
The policy puts Colorado at the forefront of a movement to give consumers more control over the devices they own.

Summary:

  • Colorado’s new right-to-repair law allows residents to repair their cell phones, computers, and other devices.
  • The law requires manufacturers like Samsung and Apple to provide documentation, software, and tools to device owners and independent repair shops at the same prices as authorized repair providers.
  • The law prohibits manufacturers from restricting replacement parts and displaying misleading alerts about parts.
  • The law passed on partisan lines, with Democrats in support and Republicans opposed, and will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
  • Exemptions to the law include video game consoles, medical devices, electric car chargers, and more.
  • Opponents of the law argue it could pose security risks and impact device reliability, while supporters believe it promotes consumer choice and reduces electronic waste.
  • entropicshart@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    94·
    6 months ago

    The Entertainment Software Association had pushed for the exemption for game consoles, arguing that including them would have made it easier to add chips that allow people to play pirated games.

    What a load of utter shit. It would allow consumers to fix their things without dealing with crooks. Take a good look at Asus, they’re only the latest example.

    • DacoTaco@lemmy.worldEnglish
      510·
      6 months ago

      Before i reply, know that i am also against parts pairing at this point in time. Fuck apple for making it popular.

      Parts pairing does work against piracy to some level. Ps3’s blu ray drive was paired, and had checks to see if it was modded. Changes to the drive would make it not play any content because the pairing verification failed.
      Then there is the switch’ game cart slot. Its paired with the switch, and has firmware running on it. It also adds a layer of protection.
      They arent lying in that statement. What they arent saying is that it totally fucks with right to repair >>

      • ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
        12·
        6 months ago

        Yeah. There’s zero reason a disk drive with a recognized genuine serial tied to it shouldn’t work in any other system you stick it in that the system could verify online.

    • MxM111@kbin.social
      30·
      6 months ago

      I understand exception of medical devices where manufacturers carry huge responsibility if something goes wrong. But consoles???

        • MxM111@kbin.social
          21·
          6 months ago

          I don’t know. Could still be safety concerns? In many districts/counties you can’t even change a light-switch yourself.

          • glimse@lemmy.worldEnglish
            2·
            6 months ago

            I thought the restriction was CHARGING to replace a light switch as an unlicensed electrician, am I wrong? I’ve never heard of DIY being disallowed. The only restrictions I know of are needing to pull a permit for structural stuff and I’m in an area with pretty tight electrical regulations (EMT conduit, no Romex allowed)

          • ironhydroxide@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
            1·
            6 months ago

            You could claim safety concerns in anything and everything. Doesn’t mean that the manufacturer should have the right to intentionally make things that cannot be repaired due to drm.

            In those counties that you cannot change a light switch on your own, do you have to call up the manufacturer of your home(and no other) and pay them to fix your light switch, and then have them say it’s better to just buy a whole new house, this one is not worth fixing.

              • ironhydroxide@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
                1·
                6 months ago

                Yes, exactly. State. Not the company that will profit more from you buying another house because their house is the only one allowed to have the cabinets and organization that you like. And have been using all your life.

                • MxM111@kbin.social
                  1·
                  6 months ago

                  That’s because the state is essentially responsible for house safety- there are many codes the buildings have to satisfy. Not everything is regulated like that. There are no many codes (if at all) associated with chargers, and charger safety is responsibility of a company making the charger. So at least I can see some logic here. But with low power devices like console the risk is very low to have someone electrocuted because incorrect low voltage (compared to what car is using to charge) card is installed. Maybe there is a risk of fire?

    • LesserAbe@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      6 months ago

      It sucks! I’d guess this was an attempt to get something on the books and maybe they go back for exemptions later. Article says an earlier bill only applied to wheelchairs and then later they expanded to include agricultural equipment.

  • TrickDacy@lemmy.worldEnglish
    241·
    6 months ago

    The law passed on partisan lines, with Democrats in support and Republicans opposed,

    BoTh SiDeS tHo

      • TrickDacy@lemmy.worldEnglish
        132·
        6 months ago

        I’m commenting on the very real phenomenon which is millions of people think there aren’t differences in the parties even though we see evidence all the time that there are

      • NateNate60@lemmy.worldEnglish
        22·
        6 months ago

        Would you rather have Manchin, who agrees with you on 10-20% of issues, or a Republican who agrees with you on 1% of issues and thinks you’re the Devil incarnate?

        “Neither” is not an option.

          • TrickDacy@lemmy.worldEnglish
            2·
            6 months ago

            You can and should criticize Democrats. A lot. But if you do it in a way to equates them to Republicans, that makes you a lying asshole. Don’t be one.

          • NateNate60@lemmy.worldEnglish
            21·
            6 months ago

            Feel free to criticise but understand that criticism is not free of consequences. Making public criticism of a political candidate makes it less likely that they will be elected. You can consider that reality and act accordingly and rationally.

            You do not need to respond to this comment with “Cool, I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing,” because I don’t care. I respect your intelligence and I’m not here to start an argument. If you feel the need to get the last word in with a “clever” reply, feel free to do so.

  • ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
    16·
    6 months ago

    “Those materials have to be made available at the same prices the manufacturer charges to authorized repair providers.”

    One screen order $189. Three or more screens $120 a piece.

  • Stern@lemmy.worldEnglish
    14·
    6 months ago

    “Imagine if every time your car broke down, the only option you had for repair was the dealer. That’s not a world any of us want to live in,” said Sen. Jeff Bridges, a Democrat who is one of the bill’s sponsors, at an earlier committee hearing.

    About that…

    The law also excludes motor vehicles, but independent mechanics and car owners already have similar rights under a 2014 memorandum of understanding

    Not sure if a “memorandum of understanding” has the same legal force behind it the bill does. Hope so.