this post was submitted on 18 Mar 2026
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I'm not so technical, but my understanding this won't be systemd enforcing it, as much as offering a common storage and retrieval method for the Distros.
Please correct me if mistaken
You are correct. Similar to how
/etc/passwdused in all Linux distros has had mostly neglected "GECOS" field for full name and phone number for decades. I am yet to hear of SMS validation done against such phone numbers.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gecos_field
Why not extend the GECOS field? I haven't seen the conversation but assuming it has to do with access control. By putting it in passwd/shadow you're limited by filesystem permissions on the whole file, meaning it becomes impossible or annoying to do selective disclosure to certain user/process without bolting some service similar to what systemd is doing on top.
Lots of references to discussion and alternative proposals are tracked by Kicksecure/Whonix: https://www.kicksecure.com/wiki/Age-api
I haven't looked into this b/c, frankly, this at a low place on my current emergencies list, but sounds plausible.