If you’ve ever tried tinkering with your phone or called a local mechanic to fix a device, you may have hit a brick wall. Many products require specific parts or instructions that companies only provide to licensed repairers.
For years, environmental groups, technology experts and farmers across the country have been trying to change that. Minnesota recently gave these groups a victory by becoming the fourth state to pass a so-called “right to repair” law. It comes into force in July 2024 and requires companies to provide instructions and parts to repair new phones, laptops and devices. Agricultural machinery was not considered in the final version of the law.
Emily Barker is executive director of Reuse Minnesota, which was part of a coalition pushing for the state’s “Right to Repair” law.
Courtesy of Emily Barker
Emily Barker, executive director of Reuse Minnesota, spoke with MPR News anchor Cathy Wurzer about why her nonprofit was pushing for this change.
Use the audio player above to listen to the entire conversation.
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https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2023/06/05/ever-been-stuck-trying-to-fix-a-phone-or-appliance-a-new-right-to-repair-law-may-help