What do pissed off farmers and broken McFlurry machines have to do with each other? More than you’d think. Both are part of the story behind the modern right-to-repair movement. In this episode, Jason Koebler, tech journalist and co-founder at 404 Media, explains how an unlikely alliance between Midwestern farmers and electronics repair technicians helped win right-to repair protections across multiple states — and why the farmers’ fight to fix their own tractors is far from over.

Guest:

Jason Koebler, tech journalist and co-founder of 404 Media

Further Reading/Listening:

It Is Now Legal to Hack McFlurry Machines (and Medical Devices) to Fix Them — Jason Koebler, 404 Media

The Walls Are Closing in on John Deere’s Tractor Repair Monopoly — Jason Koebler, 404 Media

EPA Affirms Farmers’ Right to Repair — Lisa Held, Civil Eats

The Latest Repair Battlefield Is the Iowa Farmlands—Again — Boone Ashworth, Wired

How John Deere hijacked copyright law to keep you from tinkering with your tractor — Luke Hogg, Reason Magazine

Tractor-Hacking Farmers Are Leading a Revolt Against Big Tech's Repair Monopolies — Jason Koebler, Vice

Why American Farmers Are Hacking Their Tractors With Ukrainian Firmware — Jason Koebler, Vice

Read the Transcript here

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Credits: Close All Tabs is hosted by Morgan Sung. Our team includes producer Maya Cueva, editor Chris Hambrick and senior editor Chris Egusa who also composed our theme song and credits music. Additional producing support by Gabriela Glueck. Additional music from APM. Audio engineering by Brendan Willard. Audience engagement support from Maha Sanad. Jen Chien is our Director of Podcasts. Ethan Toven-Lindsey is our Editor in Chief.

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