"It has been a big year for the right to repair, the movement of advocates pushing for people to be able to fix their own electronics and equipment without manufacturer approval. The issue has gathered broad support from technologists, farmers, military leaders, and politicians on both sides of the aisle. It is popular with just about everyone-except the companies who stand to gain if the parts, instructions, and tools necessary to fix their products remain under lock and key."
""The fundamental problem with restricting the right to repair is that when you buy equipment, you have a competitive market," says Nathan Proctor, senior director of the campaign for the right to repair at the United States Public Interest Research Group. "Once you have the equipment, if the manufacturer can make the repair a proprietary process, there's no competition at all.""
"While the right to repair has broad support around the world-Canada and the EU, among others, have passed laws and issued rulings in consumers' favor-the US often finds itself the focal point of the movement. For years advocates have been pushing for federal laws to let people change their phone's battery or fiddle with their tractor without running afoul of what manufacturers will allow."
The right-to-repair movement secured notable 2024 victories, advancing laws that let consumers fix electronics and equipment without manufacturer approval. Support came from technologists, farmers, military leaders, and politicians across party lines, while manufacturers opposed wider access to parts, tools, and documentation. Three U.S. states passed right-to-repair laws, including Texas with unanimous legislative votes. Advocates plan continued pressure into 2026 to expand repair options and preserve competitive repair markets. International measures in Canada and the EU complement state-level progress, and longstanding goals include allowing battery changes and tractor repairs without voiding warranties despite absent federal legislation.
Read at WIRED
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