Bill would give cellphone owners more options to get a broken device fixed - Boston 25 News

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BOSTON — A couple of years ago, Massachusetts voters approved the Right to Repair ballot question to require car manufacturers to share information with independent mechanics.

Now consumer advocates are pushing the same concept for electronic devices. It’s called the Digital Right to Repair Bill.

The goal is to give anyone with a broken phone or other device more options to get it fixed.

With the precision of a surgeon, Ned Hosic repaired a broken iPhone camera at his Cambridge store, Boston iPhone Repair. He says he charges customers about $225 less for that kind of repair than the Apple store.

Hosic also fixes a lot of cracked screens. “An iPhone 10 is the most common model that we service now. A screen repair at the Apple store is $279 plus tax. We charge $109 plus tax.”

It’s getting harder for him to fix some devices.

“The recent thing that Apple has been doing is serializing parts inside your phone,” Hosic explained. “Serialization means that every individual part in your phone is coded by software to work on your phone and your phone only.”

The Digital Right to Repair Bill is currently before the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Representative Tackey Chan of Quincy is the co-chair of that committee. “The bill would be good to allow consumers freedom of choice regarding where their electronics could be repaired.”

Chan says it would require manufacturers to share information with independent repair shops.

“This actually addresses a broad range of devices just beyond one and that is one of the biggest challenges,” Chan said. “Digital Right to Repair is not just about your cell phone. This is about your pocket watch, your television, your home security system.”

A broad coalition of industry groups wrote the committee a letter outlining their opposition, saying in part, “Industrial equipment, home appliances, smartphones, computers, services, consumer electronics, and other connected devices are at risk of hacking, and weakening of the privacy and security protections of those products will increase risks to consumers.”

The letter also raised concerns about a lack of oversight of independent repair shops. Chan agrees that needs to be looked at. “Consumers should be aware of what they’re using for a repair shop because there are no regulations.”

Hosic feels that customers should have a choice on how they fix their devices. “I think the consumer is missing out because you’re forced to go to these manufacturer authorized repair shops where the prices are quite inflated.”

Currently, more than a dozen states are considering similar legislation.

The consumer protection committee is expected to report out its recommendation on the Massachusetts bill shortly after New Year’s.

Chan says the Federal Trade Commission is also looking into the issue.

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