Judge Dismisses Challenge to Massachusetts Repair Law

A federal judge in Massachusetts dismissed a longstanding legal challenge by automakers against the state's Right to Repair law, which allows car owners and independent repair shops access to telematic data. The law, passed in 2020, mandates that car manufacturers provide a standardized open access data platform for vehicles from model year 2022 onwards, facilitating data sharing with independent repair services. Automakers argued that the law posed cybersecurity risks and conflicted with federal laws, but the court rejected these claims. Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly supported the law, which aims to prevent monopolistic control by manufacturers over vehicle repairs. This decision marks a significant victory for consumers and independent repair shops, although automakers may appeal. The Attorney General's office, which defended the law, hailed the ruling as a triumph for voter rights and consumer choice.