Right to Repair in India: We have a long way to go to empower consumers

The Right to Repair movement, which advocates for consumers to empower themselves to repair their devices, has gained momentum globally, but its progress in India remains slow despite the launch of a dedicated portal in December 2022.

In a technology-driven world, consumers often prioritize convenience and instant gratification, sometimes at the expense of privacy and the right to control their devices. As highlighted in a 2019 Washington Post article that exposed Chrome’s extensive use of tracking cookies, privacy concerns are often overshadowed by the dominance of tech giants and the ubiquity of their products and services.

The Right to Repair movement aims to empower consumers by providing them with the information, tools and spare parts necessary to repair their own devices, thereby reducing their dependence on manufacturers and authorized repair centers.

Challenges from technology giants

However, major technology companies such as Apple and Microsoft have historically opposed the right to repair, often making it difficult for consumers to access repair information and genuine parts. Their business models often prioritize selling new devices rather than facilitating repairs.

Progress in the West

In recent years, legislative efforts in regions such as California and the European Union have forced tech companies to exercise their right to repair to some extent. In particular, the EU has introduced rules that require manufacturers to provide spare parts, tools and repair information at reasonable prices, while prohibiting practices that hinder independent repairs.

Indian Law Remediation Portal

In December 2022, India’s Department of Consumer Affairs launched the Right to Repair portal covering sectors such as agricultural equipment, mobile devices, consumer durables and cars. While the portal lists major technology brands such as Samsung, Apple, HP, Lenovo, Boat, Xiaomi and LG, it currently focuses on providing detailed customer service information and official blogs rather than comprehensive repair information and resources.

The way forward

India’s right to repair movement is still in its early stages. To effectively empower consumers, the country needs to implement stronger rules, similar to those in the EU, that ensure:

Availability of spare parts and tools: At reasonable prices from manufacturers.

Access to repair information: including manuals, diagrams and software updates.

Prohibit unrecoverable practices: such as software locks and restrictive licensing agreements.

By strengthening its Right to Repair framework, India can empower consumers, promote the local repair industry and reduce electronic waste.