←back to thread

The feds are coming for John Deere over the right to repair

(gizmodo.com)
568 points rntn | 1 comments | 18 Oct 24 16:32 UTC | HN request time: 0.204s | source
Show context
ffujdefvjg ◴[18 Oct 24 17:02 UTC] No.41881316[source]▶
Hope Deere gets what's coming to them and this sets a precedent for other companies. Next on the list should be devices remotely disabled when they're discontinued, which would have otherwise continued to work perfectly fine (like the Spotify car device).
replies(3): >>41882511 #>>41884095 #>>41886538 #
tmm ◴[18 Oct 24 19:12 UTC] No.41882511[source]▶
Would also like to see a ban on firmware updates and programming tools locked behind a dealer (or support contract) portal and a ban on time-restricted software licenses for hardware.

In line with remote-bricking discontinued hardware, these policies only serve to generate eWaste.

If you sell programmable hardware, or really anything with embedded software, you should be required to make all the tools and software available to end users (doesn’t have to be free, but shouldn’t require a subscription or support contract either) in perpetuity.

Licenses to enable additional hardware features are fine, but they must be granted for the life of the device (i.e. as long as it can be kept working), not an arbitrary “we think the life of this thing is 5 years”. You should never have to keep paying to use a device you already bought.

replies(6): >>41883839 #>>41884251 #>>41884279 #>>41884363 #>>41887852 #>>41887972 #
1. gosub100 ◴[19 Oct 24 14:32 UTC] No.41887972[source]▶
Even low-tech anti-features are insidious. They make the windows in a 3D "bubble" type shape so when you break one, they can charge you more, or use it as leverage to scare you into paying for a support plan that "covers" broken windows. If they were made out of flat panels, 3rd parties could make them, farmers could make their own, and they would be cheaper.