Nuked Last August, Apple announced it would let more indie repair shops buy genuine iPhone parts and tools. But it seems like an exception to Apple’s tight restrictions on who it deems worthy of repairing your phone.
Vice obtained a copy of the contract, and the terms sound invasive. Apple can fine that shop $ 1,000 for each transaction that happened during that audit, period. The shop would also have to reimburse Apple for its investigation.
Repair shops are also reportedly required to give Apple customer information. If a repair shop ever leaves the program, the contract reportedly lets Apple make inspections for up to five years.
Some repair shops are refusing to sign the contract. One shop owner said he would welcome the audits because’everything in our house we’re selling is fine and above board’.
Last year, Apple began showing notices to some iPhone users who had third-party battery or screen replacements that said those parts could n’t be verified as genuine. Apple also apparently lobbied to postpone California’s right-to-repair bill last year.
