In July, an executive order was signed including directives to the FTC to draft new regulations aimed to disallow manufacturers from restricting consumers’ ability to repair their products. This order is meant to force companies to provide customers the tools and the knowledge required to repair items they have purchased.

The electronics industry is one of rapid changes. For example, Apple and Samsung release several new models of smartphones every year. Right to repair advocates have long argued that tech manufacturers have used parts that were designed to fail in a few years or forced software updates that cause older devices to slow down in order to force consumers to always buy their newest offerings. Tech companies argue that using and servicing older parts or software poses safety or security risks.

Right to repair laws also have environmental impacts. The ability to service existing products leads to less mining for rare earth elements as well as less electronic waste. Repairing electronics can also be fun! I learned how to solder because I wanted to fix the broken charging port on my old laptop. That laptop lasted me another two years!

-JS

IEEE Annual Elections are approaching and the candidates running for IEEE President-Elect and R5 Director have been invited to speak for a few minutes each. Then there will be time for the audience to ask questions of the candidates. Click here to learn more.