EU smartphone manufacturers face scrutiny over repair transparency and data risks

A recent investigation by iFixit and Right to Repair Europe reveals significant gaps in how smartphone manufacturers comply with European Union transparency regulations. An analysis of over 7,000 entries in the EPREL database shows that only approximately 18 percent of smartphone models released in the last year provide required information regarding spare part prices or repair instructions.

The study found that roughly 50 percent of the examined datasets contained entirely empty URL fields, while 19 percent linked to pages that failed to provide mandatory information. Some manufacturers were found to be self-rating with top scores despite providing incomplete or broken links.

Separately, consumer advocates are warning about the risks associated with the growing market for refurbished electronics. As the demand for new hardware increases due to AI data center requirements, more consumers are turning to pre-owned devices. Experts from US PIRG note that while refurbished smartphones and laptops can be cost-effective, buyers must be cautious of data security risks and poor battery health in smaller devices like smartwatches.