Samsung demands that independent repair shops disclose customer data and "disassemble" devices with non-genuine parts

Owners of Samsung devices have faced an unexpected problem. It turns out that the company demands from third-party repair shops to disclose personal information about customers who brought in non-working Samsung equipment for repair.

So, if a user brings their Samsung device for repair to an independent workshop, Samsung requires the workshop to send the Korean company the name, contact information, device identifier, and nature of the complaint. Moreover, if it turns out that the device was previously repaired using non-Samsung components, the company requires the establishment to "immediately dismantle" the device and "immediately inform" the company.

These requirements became known thanks to an analysis of the contract that Samsung requires all independent repair shops to sign in exchange for selling them original parts. Such requirements may upset users, as few will be pleased with the spread of their personal data without consent, let alone the requirement to render the device inoperable.

Experts state that consumers in the US have the right to use third-party parts for repair of devices they own, in accordance with the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which regulates warranties on consumer goods in the US. In some states, such as New York, Minnesota, and California, contracts required by Samsung may be illegal due to local legislation.

It is also noted that creating additional obstacles for repairing devices can harm both the safety of devices and the environment, as devices in need of repair end up in landfills.

It should be added that a few hours before this information was made public, the well-known parts seller and repair blog iFixit announced that they were terminating their partnership with Samsung less than 2 years after the partnership was announced.