U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Mike Lee (R-UT) sent out a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) this week seeking clarification on steps the agency has taken to addressing unfair repair restrictions.
Lee shared the letter penned by him and Klobuchar on social media earlier this week, in which they recognize the awareness raised by FTC surrounding the lack of protections for consumers seeking repairs for vehicles, smartphones, farm equipment, and other personal property.
Part of this action taken by FTC includes the 2021 release of a Policy Statement on Repair Restrictions Imposed by Manufacturers and Sellers, in which FTC outlined intentions to devote more resources toward dismantling unlawful repair restrictions.
In their letter, Klobuchar and Lee–who serve as chair and ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, respectively–ask for further details on what steps FTC has taken since its Policy Statement to address repair restrictions.
Specifically, the letter asks for information on what the FTC has demonstrably done for right to repair, and what resulted from those actions, as well as whether it has determined if manufacturers should make parts, tools, manuals, and other data and equipment available to consumers and independent repair shops.
The Senators end with requesting clarification on how FTC will hold manufacturers accountable, and what the agency requires from Congress to accomplish that.
