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California lawmakers unanimously pass Linux exemption from age-verification law (tomshardware.com)

805 points by shscs911 · 43 days ago · 408 comments on HN

Article summary

California lawmakers have passed a bill exempting open-source operating systems, such as Linux, from the state's Digital Age Assurance Act, which requires age verification for device users. The exemption applies to software distributed under licenses like GPL, MIT, BSD, and Apache. This move comes after criticism from Linux developers and the Electronic Frontier Foundation. The law is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, and will still apply to operating systems like Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.

Main themes

  • age verification
  • open-source operating systems
  • privacy concerns
  • government overreach
  • corporate exploitation
  • online safety
  • regulation of technology
  • digital rights

What commenters say

  • The exemption for Linux is seen as a victory, but some argue it's a small patch for a bad law that still infringes on privacy.
  • The law is viewed as an overreach of government power and an invasion of privacy, with some arguing that it will not effectively protect children.
  • Others believe that the exemption for Linux is not a significant win, as the law still applies to other operating systems and devices.
  • Some commenters think that the focus on age verification is a distraction from the real issue of corporate exploitation of children.
  • A few argue that the law is poorly conceived and will have unintended consequences, such as driving people to use exempt platforms or finding ways to circumvent the age verification requirements.
  • There is disagreement over whether the law will be effective in preventing harm to children, with some arguing that it will not address the root causes of the problem.
  • Some commenters are concerned that the law will set a precedent for further erosion of privacy and anonymity online.
  • Others see the law as a necessary measure to protect children, but acknowledge that it may need to be refined or revised to address concerns about privacy and effectiveness.