Apple has shifted its outlook on right-to-repair legislation, as evidenced by a letter seen by CNBC. The tech giant, which has traditionally been against such measures, now states that, so long as certain conditions are met, they can give their backing. This could enable customers to gain access to parts and maintenance tools for three years after the initial production date for most of Apple's goods.Apple is now showing its backing for California's proposed Right to Repair Act, Senate Bill 244. If passed, it would require manufacturers like Apple to enable customers to repair their damaged or broken devices. The tech giant expressed its support for the bill in a Tuesday letter to state Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman's staff, based on it providing safety and security safeguards for customers and inventors. Apple also indicated it would be amenable to further expansion of right-to-repair in the letter. This marks a stark turnaround from Apple's long-held stance against such bills, which have been put forward by Eggman in the past in order to give consumers the choice to save money. The company has shifted its stance to include Self Service Repair, a program introduced in 2021, which allows customers to order genuine parts directly from Apple and repair their devices themselves. The proposed bill would also require manufacturers to make replacement parts, guides, and tools available for at least three years after manufacture ceases. Apple has reportedly used its leverage in the past to curtail other states' right-to-repair legislation, but it appears to have embraced the concept recently in light of customer demands.
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