Outside the Maine State Capitol, activists held a staged electronics funeral, saying manufacturers are retiring devices that still work and forcing customers to buy new ones.
As <a href="https://wgme.com/news/local/mainers-throw-sobbing-eulogy-for-dead-tech-in-right-to-repair-battle-electronics-funeral-activists” rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank”>WGME reported, imitation grave markers for smartphones, blenders, and smart refrigerators helped illustrate the complaint.
Here’s what to know
People were bringing attention to a campaign for a legal right to repair electronics at the demonstration. According to WGME, organizers argue that companies end support for working technology too early, reducing consumer choice and adding to electronic waste.
One of the clearest examples came from Lily McGovern, the field director for Environment Maine, during the event.
“I’d like to offer these remembrances for many Amazon Kindles,” McGovern said, per WGME. “Their screens lit up our work and will always be remembered. On May 20, Amazon cut off 13 models of Kindles — every model made before 2012.”
Why is this harmful?
When companies make it harder to use perfectly good electronics, that can negatively impact people’s everyday lives. These decisions can force people to pay for a new device sooner than expected, straining budgets even more.
For many people, the issue comes down to whether they actually own the products they buy or merely get to use them until a company decides otherwise.
Right-to-repair battles have gained momentum because many modern devices are difficult, or even impossible, for owners and independent repair shops to fix. Companies can also restrict the availability of parts and lock down software.
When usable electronics are discarded early, communities are left with more waste, greater reement products
According to WGME, Maine already has a right-to-repair law for cars, but a bill focused on smartphones fell short by two votes.
What’s being done?
If stronger right-to-repair laws move forward, consumers could gain better access to parts, tools, and repair information. That would help people save money and reduce the cycle of replacing products that are still usable.
Public pressure can also push manufacturers to design products that last longer and are easier to service instead of treating repairability as a barrier to sales.
For McGovern, the issue is as personal as it is political. She had some cutting remarks for Amazon.
“The company said they had to do this because the technology has come a long way,” she declared, as WGME reported. “Meanwhile, I thought reading text on a screen was pretty much the same it had been. Silly me.”
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