1 yr. ago • 97%

Now that cars are like smartphones, we don’t really own them

https:// www.washingtonpost.com /technology/2023/11/10/car-right-to-repair/

In a dispute over a repair law, Subaru and Kia crippled their own wireless features in Massachusetts. Maine could be next.

Technology @lemmy.world Now that cars are like smartphones, we don’t really own them

Hacker News @derp.foo Now that cars are like smartphones, we don't really own them

24 comments

I mean, I think the only proper response to this is just a boycott or a straight ban on companies that do that in the states. It would let smaller companies slide in, or other competitors take over. Currently it's a contest between the two companies and their customers, just don't buy if they don't have the features, companies will either revert the decision or pull out of the regions.

32
- The solution is strong regulation. Just completely disallow things like this.
  
  30
  
  This is the true answer here.
  
  Government doing it's job and regulating companies to prevent anti-consumer practices and hostile design.
  
  10
  
  I agree. There's not like hundreds of unknown car manufacturers just waiting for this privacy opportunity to strike so they make it big, who can then ramp up production to meet the need.. There's no way free market principles can provide a solution in this case
  
  4
- And when all the auto manufacturers are doing that? We all drive a Little Tikes coupe?
  
  Not like we have much choice because they will all do it.
  
  10
  
  Buy used and repair it
  
  11
  
  Capitalism always takes over, if there is potential to sell someone will step in. Used to have small car shops and stores all around, big companies came in and they all closed shop, it'll go back to that most likely, although it's more likely other competitors will take advantage of the situation and just move in instead. Especially if the situation expands to further states.
  
  3
- I don't think I've ever seen a boycott actually work. We need to force them with regulation or other means.
  
  5
  
  In the States at least there are far too many dumb consumers for any meaningful boycott. I think we'll have to rely on the EU to save us, as usual.
  
  3
Permanently Deleted

10
- Do you really think this won't be the norm in 5-10 years? Now it's some, in a few years OP is right, so why bother with your argument that not all cars are like this at the moment?
  
  14
  
  Permanently Deleted
  
  0
I would care about this if I could afford a car 😭 😭.

7
Don't buy stupid cars. Problem solved.

6
- You got it backwards.
  
  Do buy stupid cars! Smart cars are the problem.
  
  17
https://archive.is/wlFmd

5
- Hero right here
  
  3
Hence why I bought a manual with no connectivity or IoT toys. It's a car, let me drive

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