Repair Seals on Laptops Made Illegal in the US

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has banned manufacturers from installing security seals on laptops that would prevent repairs, TechSpot has noted.

The FTC sent letters to major computer and component manufacturers ASRock, Zotac, and Gigabyte warning them not to interfere with repairs to their PCs. The FTC also said that stickers and seals that make it difficult to repair equipment are illegal.

According to TechSpot, the stickers in question are usually labeled “warranty void if removed.” The stickers and security seals are placed in such a way that they interfere with service and repair.

“These letters alert companies that limiting consumers’ rights to repairs violates the law,” said Samuel Levin, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. He said manufacturers have been notified that they must change their customer support policies.

According to a report by research group US PIRG, Americans spend $40 billion annually due to the inability to repair their gadgets. “Companies don’t want you to replace the battery — they want you to buy a new phone,” said Olivia Webb, a representative of the firm iFixit.

In late June, it became known that Apple would simplify the process of replacing the iPhone battery. Thanks to the new design, the battery will “pop out” of the case.