295
Oh No! Now A Federal Bill Wants OS-Level Age Verification for Everyone in the USA (itsfoss.com)
submitted 7 months ago by to c/linux@lemmy.world
41 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

From the press release [my emphasis]:

Require operating system developers like Apple and Google to verify users’ ages when setting up a new device, rather than relying on self-reported ages.

cross-posted from: https://beehaw.org/post/25834609

The U.S. has been quietly building up a set of state-level laws that push operating system providers into the age verification plague.

California's AB 1043, signed in October 2025, requires OS providers to collect age data at account setup and pipe it to apps through a real-time API. It kicks in on January 1, 2027.

Colorado is working on something nearly identical. SB26-051 (which we covered when it was still a proposal) passed the state Senate 28-7 on March 3, 2026, and is now waiting on a House vote to become law there too.

However, these are just state-level laws. A new federal bill, H.R.8250, introduced on April 13, 2026, by Rep. Josh Gottheimer, with Rep. Elise M. Stefanik signing on as cosponsor, has us intrigued.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] 2 points 7 months ago* (1 child)

I'm too old and been disappointed too many times to find that very cheering, but I appreciate ya. Pretty much strictly bummer mode for the rest of the comment, to forewarn.

The pendulum does indeed swing, and I've lately only really noticed how thoroughly the swing back is just blocked. Co-opted into what amounts to damn near nothing... in the best cases! Progress has been defeated, thoroughly, and has been reversing for some time, and that is now accelerating.

There is of course a low point somewhere, where things can only change, and our adventure in Iran may bring it, but the ruling class seems to have perfected the art of the slow simmer, at least here in the US. Defeating that will be ugly, but we do see some signs that they're accidentally allowing things to boil via their unchecked greed.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
    •
  • [+] 2 points 7 months ago (1 child)
    [deleted]
  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
    •
  • [–] 2 points 7 months ago*

    Sidenote, I really know what you mean about "straddling two ages", what a bizarre and like...ineffably rare experience it's been. A bit older than we, and computers (modern communication) are just a strange accessory to life - it's mostly been lived IRL. Anything else must be imagined, and it isn't easy, usually isn't done very well. A bit younger than we, and there has never been a strictly IRL part of life. The slow way, that every other human before lived and died under. And so anything else must be imagined, and it isn't done very well.

    Utterly strange to one day notice this and recognize myself as among the small group of folks who really thoroughly experienced both. What a strange ride. Lucky, in its way, sincerely.

    Sidenote aside, I don't share your optimism regarding the rejection / degree of appeal for fascism and its companions, abroad. At all. Think I'll leave it there, out of simple courtesy, and from having grown bored of my own words on the subject. Cheers friend.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
    • load more comments (-1 replies)