A Note about Right to Repair, Question 1 on the Massachusetts November ballot, and the Little Guy

Question 1 on November’s ballot, called the “Right to Repair” question, is misnamed — it is actually about data control and who has access to the data our cars transmit wirelessly. We have called for federal regulators and Congress to investigate the practice of collecting and using “telematic data” —  and more importantly ensuring consumers have the ultimate decision in the collection, use and control of any of the data collected from their cars (or anything else). This ballot question makes that charge more urgent. 

We care about the right to repair and we will continue to advocate for consumers’ ability to have the tools and information they need to repair their own things.  We also care about consumer data rights, and insofar as Question 1 gives consumers the very limited ability to read or share wireless data from their cars, we recommend a yes vote. But this measure isn’t about Right to Repair, and the tens of millions of dollars being spent on the question by both corporate opponents and proponents should disabuse any voter of the notion that this is being fought for, or against, by the little guys. 

For more on our Right to Repair program, please go to MASSPIRG’s page at https://bit.ly/34UfQnc