People Are Pissed Off and Ready to Own Their Shit

You can now participate in grassroots advocacy that could lead to legislation allowing you to repair your own devices and products without legal repercussions.

The "Own Your Shit" tour, a series of events hosted by YouTuber Louis Rossmann and his nonprofit Fulu, is drawing attention to consumer frustration with product ownership and repairability. The tour's central aim is to advocate for the repeal of Section 1201 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), which prohibits bypassing digital restrictions. Rossmann argues this law enables companies to lock down devices, preventing owners from repairing or modifying their own hardware. The tour has featured advocates from the Electronic Frontier Foundation and consumer groups, highlighting issues like Amazon removing Kindle books and companies implementing subscription models for previously owned products. The movement is gaining traction as legislative efforts to promote repairability and consumer rights, such as those in the European Union and actions against John Deere, are increasing. Rohit Chopra, former director of the CFPB and now head of California's Business and Consumer Services Agency, attended an event, indicating growing governmental interest in addressing these consumer protection concerns.

The "Own Your Shit" tour signifies a growing, organized consumer backlash against restrictive digital rights management and planned obsolescence. By directly challenging Section 1201 of the DMCA, the movement aims to dismantle legal barriers that prevent independent repair and modification of consumer electronics and other products. This push for tangible ownership rights, amplified by a prominent YouTuber and supported by policy advocates, suggests a potential shift in how companies can exert control over products post-purchase, moving away from a service-based model back towards true ownership.

The increasing involvement of government agencies, exemplified by Rohit Chopra's attendance and the establishment of the California Business and Consumer Services Agency, indicates that consumer frustration is translating into policy considerations. As legislative bodies worldwide, including the EU and the US FTC, begin to mandate greater repairability and address anti-consumer practices, the "Own Your Shit" movement could catalyze further regulatory action. This suggests a future where companies may face increased pressure to design products for longevity and repair, potentially impacting business models reliant on frequent upgrades and proprietary repair services.