FEATURE
Screwed over: how Apple and others are making it impossible to get a cheap and easy phone repair
If Apple and other tech companies have their way, it will only become harder to have our phones and other devices repaired by third-party businesses. WORDS: RITESH CHUGH
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(Senior Lecturer – Information Systems and Analysis, CQUniversity Australia)
martphones and many other tech devices are lobbied against the right to repair in the United States increasingly being designed in ways that and has been accused of deliberately slowing down make it challenging to repair or replace iPhones with older batteries. individual components. Opposition against the right to repair This might involve soldering the from tech companies is to be expected. “We also wanted processor and flash memory to the Cornering consumers into using their motherboard, gluing components service centres increases their revenue to nourish our together unnecessarily, or using nonand extends their market domination. children in a way standard “pentalobe” screws which In its defence, Apple has said make replacements problematic. that passes on our third-party repairers could use lower Many submissions to an Australian quality parts and also make devices own enjoyment “right to repair” inquiry have called vulnerable to hackers. of food...” on tech manufacturers to provide a fair It also defended its battery warning and competitive market for repairs, and indication as a “safety” feature, wherein produce products that are easily repairable. it started to alert users if their phone’s The right to repair refers to consumers’ ability replacement battery hadn’t come from a certified to have their products repaired at a competitive price. Apple repairer. This includes being able to choose a repairer, rather than In the US, Apple’s independent repair provider program being forced by default to use the device manufacturer’s grants certain providers access to the parts and resources services. needed to fix its devices. Independent repair shops in 32 But it seems Apple doesn’t want its customers to fix countries can now apply, but the scheme has yet to extend their iPhones or Macbooks themselves. The company has outside the US. 28 TVO
