The right to repair is also a technology-literacy policy

The right to repair is the idea that owners should be able to fix their own devices, or take them to any repairer, with access to manuals, spare parts and tools. It is usually discussed as a consumer-rights or waste issue. We think it is also about literacy.

People who can open, diagnose and repair a device understand how technology works, and that understanding spreads: children learn from watching, communities build local repair skills, and small businesses grow around them. A world where every device is sealed is one where most people treat technology as magic they are not allowed to look at.

The legitimate objections are safety, security and intellectual property. Some devices are dangerous to open, and manufacturers worry about counterfeit parts. We think those concerns justify clear rules, such as certified procedures for high-risk repairs, not blanket bans.

What would change our mind: evidence that broad repair access significantly increases injuries or security failures compared with the benefits.

A practical test of any product: could a local repairer fix it with parts and information that are actually available?