The Battle for Our Technology – The Campus

Imagine your phone or laptop screen shattering as you read this. The first thought that might come to your mind is that you need to buy a completely new phone. This is one of the many unfortunate truths about today's technology: the equivalent of a dead car battery results in the entire vehicle being sent to the scrapyard. Even if you are looking for a replacement part, installing the new part is often difficult or costs an exorbitant price from official parts dealers. An even bigger problem is that some products cannot be opened without destroying them. It's a completely nonsensical and anti-consumer practice – and yet extremely profitable for the company that sells the devices we so rely on.
But it doesn't have to be that way.
The right to repair is the idea that owners of equipment and systems should have the legal right to repair, disassemble or even modify the products they purchase. It is one of the most important initiatives in the current era of corporate monopolies. As laptops, phones and tablets become increasingly needed to connect to the ever-expanding Internet in all aspects of life, consumers' control over what companies can sell should also increase. When it comes to older cars and devices, one is used to this concept, but most modern technologies (especially anything with a computer chip inside) are rarely repairable by the device's user – and not for lack of trying.
The most important parts of the right to repair movement are at the level of device design. In order for consumers to have the opportunity to repair their items themselves, devices must be constructed and designed in such a way that repairs are possible without any problems. Additionally, changes in the way parts are produced are required. Device users and any independent repair workshops should be able to access original spare parts and the necessary tools at reasonable prices. Most importantly, in this world of digital rights laws, repairs must not be hindered by software problems or intentional programming (also known as planned obsolescence).
The right to repair legislation not only helps consumers regain control of the device they purchase, but also helps protect the environment. Right-to-repair laws are designed to break manufacturers' monopoly on electronic parts and repair markets and allow consumers to keep their old products longer. This means they cannot throw away their used products and are not forced to buy new ones on a regular basis. These new manufacturing guidelines would reduce environmental impact by reducing e-waste and slowing the production of new devices.
This problem also extends beyond phones and computers. The issue of the right to repair has plagued farmers for years as tractors and other farm equipment increasingly rely on technology and electronic connections to perform precision work. If a piece of equipment fails, it can cause significant disruption to farm operations. That's why it's so important to have access to the tools and information to fix the problem. In addition to this problem, repairs often require specialized software to fix, which is not available to farmers. If something breaks, the nearest dealer may be hundreds of miles away, resulting in long downtime and expensive repairs.
No matter what discouraging messages may come from those who profit from high repair prices, recent legislation has proven that the consumer's voice is more important than that of the company. In 2022, the European Union Parliament passed a law requiring manufacturers to use Type-C USB charging ports in all new devices. Apple has fully and unanimously embraced the new rule, clearly demonstrating that companies will follow these laws if they preserve their customer base and profits. In 2012, Massachusetts passed the Motor Vehicle Owners Right to Repair Act, which forced automakers to give independent mechanics access to the secret diagnostic tools in cars. This means that if a check engine light comes on, by law it is possible to take the vehicle to almost any mechanic to find out what is wrong.
To give a personal example: I own a 3D printer and a few years ago one of the internal cooling fans broke, an important part of a machine that regularly gets over 200 degrees Celsius (392 Fahrenheit). There was also damage to a circuit board in the machine. Luckily, I was able to purchase repair parts at a reasonable price and, even better, replace the damaged parts myself. While I certainly didn't do everything right with my repair, the fact that I – a high school student – was able to fix it at all was a refreshing and validating experience.
On the other hand, last fall my phone's screen broke and I had no choice but to wait until I could see a specialist who told me that only the screen was broken and the rest of the phone was perfectly intact. I was told that a costly repair was possible, but Apple devices only work with the parts they are built from, meaning I would have lost most of the phone's functionality.
Ultimately, we are much more than just consumers of new technology products. We are consumers who expect what we buy to work – and more importantly, to last. Because companies care more about their profits than the quality of the products they offer, it is up to us to vote with our wallets and support right-to-repair legislation.