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Oh No! Now A Federal Bill Wants OS-Level Age Verification for Everyone in the USA (itsfoss.com)

submitted 5 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) by pglpm@lemmy.ca to c/linux@programming.dev

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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.

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[–] CombatWombat@feddit.online 30 points 4 days ago (1 children)

There is no "age verification" possible, only identity verification that reveals your age. Once OSes have kill switches installed that operate based on your identity, it's a pretty straight line to enforcing that only the "right people" have access to computers.

[–] transporter_ii@programming.dev 2 points 4 days ago

All programmers work for California now. They pass a stupid law, and we get to work on it. I guess this will just move our employer up the chain.