With a right to repair
the EU Parliament launched its own initiative to reduce electronic waste, protect the environment and give customers more rights – but not every manufacturer sticks to it like they do Spanish colleagues report from Xataka.
Jesus Rodriguez Conde, also known as ChuxMan
, had a problem: According to the software on his washing machine, the power supply was said to be dead – a bug, as it turned out. Conde knew how to fix the problem, being the CEO of a software company himself.
Conde contacted the device manufacturer Beko and asked for a copy of the firmware, after all the company is obliged to provide manuals and components on request so that customers can repair their devices themselves. Put it on again and the washing machine will wash again, right?
Beko stands across
The manufacturer rejected the request. After asking again, an explanation came: the washing machine is not a computer, but an electrical device that has to be treated differently. So Beko suggested replacing the supposedly defective part – for a hefty surcharge, of course.
Of course, Conte did not accept this suggestion, because he is the man himself: instead of giving in, he attached his notebook to the machine and read the firmware himself. Luckily for him, his mother had the same washing machine, so he was able to compare and correct the data. In case of hardship, he would simply have transferred their version of the software to his device.
Hacking is not a crime
Of course, Conte promised not to distribute the software. However, he also emphasized that hacking does not equal cybercrime. The man simply saw no other way to fix his problem easily and cheaply. Conte passed the case on to the consumer advice center and hopes that Beko will rethink it, after all they have violated applicable EU law.
Instead of helping a customer, the manufacturer stood in the way, despite an EU-wide regulation – rightly so? Do you know any other stories where hacking has led to success? Feel free to discuss it in the comments.
