Thread by @doctorow

Obviously, there was a LOT of stuff on the ballot on Nov 3.

In Massachusetts, there was a chance to vote on #RightToRepair.

Again.

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Back in 2012, 75% of Bay Staters backed a ballot initiative to force auto manufacturers to allow independent mechanics to access diagnostic data carried on cars' wired networks (but not their wireless nets).

Naturally, car makers moved all the useful data to wireless.

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8 years later, the state's voters got another ballot initiative, Question 1, closing the wireless loophole. Big Car threw everything at scaring people out of voting for it, including telling them that enabling independent repair would MURDER THEM.

pluralistic.net/2020/09/03/rip…

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But despite all this, they got fucking CREAMED at the ballot box. SEVENTY SIX PERCENT OF BAY STATERS VOTED IN FAVOR OF RIGHT TO REPAIR.

I mean, of course they did. "I wish it was illegal for me to choose my mechanic," said no one, ever.

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But the fuckery's only just begun. In Massachusetts political circles, there are persistent, credible rumors that the car manufacturers are going to ask the state legislature to delay the new law's start date...

By YEARS.

eff.org/deeplinks/2020…

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They say that implementing the new data-formats is will take years to get right, and they're just not ready.

The technical term for this is: bullshit.

First, we're talking about an ISO-standard data format with extensive libraries and documentation.

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The car makers are already shipping wireless updates to their cars. Tesla is sending over-the-air suspension firmware. Ford has an app that lets you change your engine performance from any IP address. Of course they can do this.

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But let's say they're right and this will require heroic effort - so what? This was a COMPLETELY FORESEEABLE OUTCOME. They subverted a law that was passed by plebescite by 75% of the voters. They knew this was coming.

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If they're not prepared it's because they decided not to prepare. They didn't just fall asleep at the wheel - they took a sleeping pill. If they need to pay a shit-ton of overtime to get this done, then good. The last thing we should do is reward fuckery with forbearance.

eof/