Google has made a big change to its repair strategy. Pixel devices with third-party parts that are sent in for repair will no longer be taken back by Google.
A Change in Rule
Before, Google’s repair policy said that a device would not be sent back to its owner if it was found to have “unauthorized” extra parts on it when it was sent in for repair. Since July 19, 2023, this rule has been in place.
Being critical makes things better
In a video, repair supporter Louis Rossmann brought up the problem with the policy and said it was wrong. Google has chosen to change its mind because of the criticism.
New Rules and Terms
Google has stated that it will not hold on to a device that has been sent in for repair, even if it has non-OEM parts. The device will be sent back to the customer if there are safety issues and it can’t be fixed. Google is changing its Terms and Conditions to make this more clear.
Looking Ahead
The right-to-repair movement has taken a big step forward with this legal change. It shows that tech companies care about what their customers have to say and are ready to change their rules to better serve them.
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