From CBS Sunday Morning-
Big electronics makers have made it difficult for consumers to fix their devices – from smartphones to computers – when they break down, or simply need a new battery. Correspondent David Pogue reports on the Right to Repair movement, a coalition of consumer advocates, digital rights activists and environmental groups that is fighting for laws that will help combat our throwaway culture.
In Mass we have a « Right to Repair » already but, from my understanding, this has to do with wireless/bluetooth connectivity……. but it’s confusing-
Massachusetts Question 1, « Right to Repair Law » Vehicle Data Access Requirement Initiative (2020)
A « yes » vote supports requiring manufacturers that sell vehicles with telematics systems in Massachusetts to equip them with a standardized open data platform beginning with model year 2022 that vehicle owners and independent repair facilities may access to retrieve mechanical data and run diagnostics through a mobile-based application.
A « no » vote opposes requiring vehicles beginning with model year 2022 to be equipped with a standardized open data platform that vehicle owners and independent repair facilities may access to retrieve mechanical data and run diagnostics through a mobile-based application, thereby maintaining that vehicle owners and independent repair facilities may access mechanical and diagnostic data through a personal computer.
I pretty much do everything myself and am not a big fan of taking things to a dealer….. Even at my age 
I like to figure out things so I like access to trouble codes and diagnostic info.
There is some compelling reasons to allow vehicle data to be accessed so an owner, or shop, to continue to do their (own) repairs- if they want.
Considering the « scare » tactics that seem to being used by « big auto », I think that BA is concerned about their revenue stream- mostly.
It will be interesting to watch.
OM
