| The video game console question is very interesting. I think a lot of right-to-repair advocates, right now, are fine with carving out an exception, for a few reasons. One, video game consoles have no pretense to being generalized computing devices. They are more similar to appliances, and while that appliance status is arguable, they are definitely closer to that right now than smartphones. Two, people have nostalgia for video game consoles. They like the packaged nature of it and generally have more good will towards console manufacturers than computer manufacturers (although that part is arguable and may be changing). Three is politics. It's already hard enough to go up against companies like Apple to get these bills passed. You do not want Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo lining up to oppose you as well. With all that said though, there is no reason I can see that the arguments used for right to repair -- that users should have full control over the devices they own -- should not also apply to video game consoles. But doing so would mean that consoles are no different than PCs, and would have huge implications for the industry. Those lines are being blurred already with things like the Steam Deck and I think we're just a few years away from that upheaval, but it hasn't quite happened yet -- hence you see these carve-outs. edit: Upon rereading what I wrote I realize that I may be conflating right-to-repair with regulations around app stores and walled gardens. They're not exactly the same thing, but I do think they touch on the same issues of the meaning of ownership, which is what set me off. |
I repair all of my other appliances, why should this particular type of appliance be any different?