In my favorite bellweather case for “have we sunk back to the level of McCarthyism yet?” the government has challenged the standing of IndyMedia to find out who asked the FBI to confiscate its servers, and why. Story at The Register. I may try to add my own analysis if I get a chance to read the pleadings.
Stay tuned . . .
Today, the @FTC released a report on the Right to Repair.
The report reinforces growing concerns that many companies are scamming the public and contributing to environmental waste by making it tougher to repair electronics and equipment. https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/05/ftc-report-congress-examines-anti-competitive-repair-restrictions
Farmers have raised concerns for years about @JohnDeere blocking owners from seeking repairs by the technician of their choice.
Even defense experts worry that military contractors bar the Pentagon from repairing publicly procured equipment on its own. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/20/opinion/military-right-to-repair.html
To attack this problem, the @FTC must step up its enforcement of laws that are already on the books.
I also expect that the FTC's #RightToRepair report will advance efforts to enact laws that rein in anticompetitive chokeholds in repair markets. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-06/right-to-repair-movement-gains-momentum-as-states-consider-bills
Pence is right we should leverage local ISPs serving their local communities. But then sadly veers into idea that we should feed these local systems crumbs.
