This Group Pays Bounties to Repair Broken Devices—Even If the Fix Breaks the Law

The Right to Repair: A Bounty Program Takes on Big Tech

In a world where technology is increasingly integrated into our daily lives, the right to repair and modify our devices has become a contentious issue. Companies are often reluctant to allow consumers to tinker with their products, and in some cases, they even take steps to prevent it. But a nonprofit organization called Fulu, or Freedom from Unethical Limitations on Users, is fighting back with a unique approach: offering bounties to individuals who can figure out how to disable unpopular features or bring discontinued products back to life.

The Concept Behind Fulu

Fulu's approach is inspired by the bug bounty model, where developers offer prize money to individuals who can find and fix bugs in software. However, Fulu's bounties are focused on "fixing" features that manufacturers consider intentional but negatively impact the user experience. This can include restrictions on repairing devices, blocking the use of third-party replacement parts, or ending software support entirely.

The First Payout: Reviving Nest Thermostats

In October, Google ended software support for its first- and second-generation Nest thermostats. For many users, the devices still worked but couldn't be controlled anymore, as the software was no longer supported. Fulu set up a bounty to revive the affected Nest devices, and Cody Kociemba, a longtime follower of Louis Rossmann's YouTube channel and a Nest user himself, was eager to take on the challenge. After a few days of tinkering with the Nest software, Kociemba had a solution and made it publicly available on GitHub so users could download it and restore their thermostats.

The Second Payout: Disabling DRM on Molekule Air Purifiers

This week, Fulu announced its second-ever bounty, which was for a Molekule Air Pro and Air Mini, air purifier systems that used an NFC chip in its filters to ensure the replacement filters were made by Molekule and not a third-party manufacturer. The goal was to disable the DRM and let the machine use any filter that fit. Lorenzo Rizzotti, an Italian student and coder, submitted proof that he had solved the problem and was awarded the Fulu bounty.

The Risks Involved

Fixing devices, even ones disabled and discontinued by the manufacturer, is often in direct violation of Section 1201 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the 1998 US law that prevents bypassing passwords and encryption or selling equipment that could do so without manufacturer permission. Break into a device, futz with the software inside to keep it functional, or go around DRM restrictions, and you risk running afoul of the likes of Google's gargantuan legal arm. Fulu warns potential bounty hunters they must tackle this goal knowing full well they're doing so in open violation of Section 1201.

The Future of Repair and Modification

The Fulu bounty program highlights the tension between companies' desire to control their products and consumers' right to repair and modify them. As technology continues to advance, this issue will only become more pressing. Fulu's approach may not be a long-term solution, but it brings attention to the need for change. The laws governing repair and modification need to catch up with technology, and Fulu's efforts are a step in the right direction.

Conclusion

The Fulu bounty program is a unique approach to addressing the issue of repair and modification in the tech industry. By offering bounties to individuals who can figure out how to disable unpopular features or bring discontinued products back to life, Fulu is fighting back against companies that are reluctant to allow consumers to tinker with their products. While the risks involved are real, the potential benefits are significant. As technology continues to advance, the need for change in the laws governing repair and modification will only become more pressing. Fulu's efforts are a step in the right direction, and it will be interesting to see how this issue evolves in the future.

Source: https://www.wired.com/story/fulu-repair-bounties-nest-molekule/