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Apple lobbies to force users to use its repair system

by on13 June 2016


So much for being environmentally friendly

The fruity cargo cult Apple's green credentials have been called into question after it was revealed in the US it is doing its best to get a law allowing users to repair their own gear scrapped.

According to the Huffington Post laws which would allow users to repair their devices using a bloke across the road, rather than just the manufacture are being drawn up in Minnesota, Nebraska, Massachusetts and New York. These “right to repair” amendments, update existing laws regarding the sale of electronic equipment.

The idea is that if people could repair their gear it would last longer and result in a reduction in environmentally damaging waste.  Huff Post did some digging and found that for all its spin, it is not clear how Apple makes recycling programmes adhere to environmental standards. So not only is it unclear if Jobs’ Mob’s repair method is fair, it might also not be as environmentally friendly as having a bloke around the corner repairing the device for you.

Apparenly Apple has been leaning on lawmakers to abandon the plans because  it means that users could go to “unofficial repair shops” to get their Apple gear fixed.

Apple is opposing the measure is that because it would force it to release its schematics so that repair shops and recyclers can fix the gear. Apple loves its secrets and has all sorts of rules to prevent people tearing down its shiny toys, handing over the plans is against its very soul.

 

 

New York state Senator Phil Boyle, sponsor of a “right to repair” amendment said that people were being forced to buy new computers, new software and new technology on a regular basis because it’s so expensive to have them repaired at the manufacturer. He said he was aware of Apple's lobbying against the move.

 

 

But what we are talking about is a monopoly.  Without any competition, Jobs' Mob can charge what it likes and decide if one of its shiny toys is scrapped.

 

 

 

 

Last modified on 14 June 2016
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