US President Joe Biden aimed at promoting competition in the US is a big step for the "Right to Repair" movement.
See also: Biden: Will sign executive order to "restrict" Big Tech
Biden signed the order Friday as part of a plan to boost competition in a range of sectors, from health care to autos, online platforms and consumer devices. However, the order also aims to provide better regulatory support for independent tech repair shops.
Dozens of states have proposed the right to repair for things like consumer devices, cars, agricultural and medical equipment. EU lawmakers proposed the right to repair for mobile phones and other devices last year.
The new order cites “cell phone manufacturers and others who block independent repair shops” and notes that “technology and other companies impose restrictions on third-party repairs, making repairs more expensive and time-consuming by limiting the distribution of parts, diagnostics, and repair tools.”
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The executive order encourages the FTC “to issue rules against anticompetitive restrictions on the use of independent repair shops or performing DIY repairs on your own appliances and equipment.”
This can contribute to a balance in favor of consumers and small repair shops against large technology hardware manufacturers that have designed products that are not friendly to independent repair shops.
Kyle Wiens, CEO of iFixit, welcomed Biden's executive order and is confident that the FTC has the authority to do this.
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“Small businesses are the lifeblood of the American economy, but Big Tech has done everything it can to push small repair businesses out of business,” Wiens says. “This is a huge step by the Biden administration to protect local businesses and consumers who are being trampled on.”
iFixit highlights the difficulties independent repairers face from major tech companies, ranging from limited or blocked access to parts and tools, as well as requiring proprietary software to complete fixes.
