In a leaked contract obtained by 404 Media, it has been revealed that Samsung is mandating independent repair stores to disclose customers who bring in devices repaired with aftermarket or non-Samsung parts. The contract also requires the stores to send the customer's contact information, device identifier, and the nature of their complaint to Samsung. This revelation has raised concerns about customer privacy and the right to repair.

Under the contract, independent repair shops are obligated to immediately disassemble any devices found to have been repaired with unauthorized parts and notify Samsung of the details. Failure to comply with these terms could result in the termination of the agreement. The contract's stipulations have alarmed customers who seek cost-effective repair options using third-party parts, as they now risk having their devices rendered unusable.

Experts have advised that consumers have the right to use third-party parts to repair devices they own, protected under the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act. This federal law governs consumer product warranties in the United States and allows customers to choose third-party repair options without voiding their warranties.

Notably, Right to Repair legislation has been enacted in 30 states across the country, according to the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), which advocates for consumer rights. Such legislation would render contracts like the one Samsung imposes on repair stores illegal in states like New York, Minnesota, and California where it goes into effect this year.

Critics argue that Samsung's contract is onerous and unbalanced, and highlights the need for right-to-repair laws. Kit Walsh, a staff attorney at the Electronic Freedom Foundation, emphasizes that these agreements discourage device repairs, potentially harming both device security and the environment as more repairable devices end up in landfills.

This recent revelation is not the first incident involving Samsung and device repair. Just hours before the leak, popular repair blog and parts retailer, iFixit, announced the termination of its partnership with Samsung to launch a "Repair Hub." iFixit cited the high prices of Samsung's parts and the difficulty in repairing Samsung's devices, which are often sealed shut, as reasons for the collaboration's dissolution.

Samsung has not responded to requests for comment from Engadget regarding the leaked contract. As more attention is brought to the issue, the spotlight on customer privacy and the right to repair continues to grow, urging both manufacturers and lawmakers to address these concerns.