‘Right to Repair’ Battle Cybersecurity Pros Joining Their Hands

On Friday 10^th May 2018, an advocacy organization formed by cybersecurity professionals called Securepairs.org joined the fight for “right to repair” legislation. This would allow consumers and third parties to repair electronic equipment without voiding manufacturers’ warranties.

Legislators in about 20 states have been working on some form of this legislation, but their efforts have been choked off by a number of tech companies, including Apple, Lexmark, and Verizon. Industry groups, including the Consumer Technology Association, Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, and CompTIA, also have opposed the proposals.

“In every case, these laws have been killed off in committee by business interests,” said Securepairs.org founder Paul F. Roberts, editor-in-chief of The Security Ledger.

“To date, none has made it to the floor of a state house for a vote — a testament to the power of special interests, in this case, major electronics, technology, and telecommunications firms,” he told TechNewsWorld.

Assemblymember Susan Talamantes Eggman earlier this year introduced Assembly Bill 1163 as an amendment to California’s Lemon Law.

CompTIA and 18 other trade organizations associated with big tech companies — including CTIA and the Entertainment Software Association — wrote committee members to express opposition to the bill, Motherboard reported.

Subsequently, an Apple representative and a lobbyist for CompTIA reportedly met privately with Committee members.

“It became clear the bill would not have the support it needed today, and manufacturers have sown enough doubt with vague and unbacked claims of privacy and security concerns,” she told TechNewsWorld.