TechQuickie, February 10th - The Oregon State Legislature proposed a new bill on February 8, 2024, aiming to restrict the practice of encrypting parts.
However, this bill has faced strong opposition from Apple.
During the hearing, a testimony video from cybersecurity expert Tarah Wheeler was presented, explicitly stating that Apple has made it clear it's unwilling to relinquish control over repairs.
John Perry, Senior Manager of Apple's Security Design Team, publicly stated that Apple's use of part encryption not only makes repairs more convenient but also ensures the security of the device and its data.
Perry also mentioned that this bill would compel device manufacturers to allow the use of parts and consumer devices from unknown sources, compromising user security. Meanwhile, Apple has updated its parts replacement process, eliminating the need for customers to contact Apple support when installing new parts.
Reportedly, Oregon's proposed bill SB 1596 differs from previous California bills by not only requiring companies to provide necessary documents, tools, and parts but also explicitly restricting part encryption.
In essence, this bill mandates that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) cannot restrict users from choosing third-party repair services or using non-OEM parts for repairs through part encryption. It also prohibits reducing device performance or providing misleading information through this means.
Currently, Apple employs part encryption to prevent customers from using "unauthorized by Apple" parts. Once detected, functionalities are restricted, with the screen being a typical example where features like Face ID cease to function properly upon replacing parts provided by third parties.
