At a Glance
- Three US states passed right-to-repair laws this year, including a unanimous vote in Texas.
- Advocates now aim to push federal legislation for 2026 and beyond.
- Companies still dodge rules, offering limited repair tools and hiding manuals.
- Why it matters: The fight shapes whether everyday consumers can fix devices without paying extra or waiting for a manufacturer.
The right-to-repair movement has gained momentum this year, with bipartisan support pushing for consumer freedom to repair electronics without manufacturer approval.
State-Level Victories
Three states enacted laws, and the measure in Texas passed with a unanimous vote in both the House and Senate. The legislation gives consumers access to parts, instructions, and tools.
- Texas – unanimous House and Senate approval
- Other states – additional laws enacted
- Momentum building for federal action
Beyond the Legislature
The movement is also an environmental push; fixing devices reduces landfill waste. Major companies have begun to respond: Apple now offers self-repair options, and Google redesigned its Pixel Watch to be more repairable.
- Apple – self-repair kits
- Google – repair-friendly Pixel Watch
- Environmental benefits
Industry Pushback
Companies continue to skirt regulations, obfuscate manuals, and limit tool availability to certain states. Kyle Wiens, CEO of iFixit, said:
> “We’re seeing different levels of malicious compliance from different companies.”
Broader Impacts
Farmers have long battled John Deere for tractor repair rights; the FTC sued Deere earlier this year, and the case is pending. U.S. servicemembers also face restrictions-lawmakers removed repair provisions from the NDAA in December.
Louis Rossmann remarked:
> “Right to repair is one of those issues that’s nice to have, but it doesn’t stab you in the abdomen the way all the other issues do. My goal is to change things culturally, because the legislative route has failed.”
Digital Lock-In
Repair advocates target Section 1201 of the DMCA, arguing it enables software restrictions that lock out third-party parts. Examples include the encryption-locked drive in the Xbox Series X and proprietary filters in Molekule air filters and GE fridges.
Kevin O’Reilly of Fulu warned:
> “When you buy a device, a manufacturer can just push a firmware update or update the software and then remove a feature, change the way you interact with your device, put ads on a screen in your home, and turn your refrigerator into a billboard. All of those things are not what we agreed to when we brought technology into our homes.”
The Road Ahead
Despite setbacks, advocates remain optimistic. Nathan Proctor said:
> “We live in a world where the most important kind of territory to own is digital. We’ve got digital land barons now, and they have a different way of looking at how we interact with the world and what we should be allowed to do.”
Key Takeaways
- State laws, including Texas, mark a significant win for the right-to-repair movement.
- Companies are increasingly pressured to provide repair-friendly options, though compliance varies.
- The battle extends to digital lock-in, environmental concerns, and broader consumer rights.
The struggle for repair freedom continues to shape technology policy and consumer choices in the years ahead.
