Wouldn't this just be unenforceable for any Linux distros not directly owned/maintained by a US-based corporation? I don't really see how they could force a distro to comply, unless they start going after individual maintainers who live in the US.
this post was submitted on 16 Apr 2026
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If you read this ~~law~~ bill in the strictest way, it makes almost no sense. It says that anyone who makes or controls an operating system has to check the age of every person who uses it. But it does not limit this to big companies. That could mean volunteers who help build Debian or even someone at home making their own version of Linux. The ~~law~~ bill would expect them to build a system that asks for (and verifies) a birthday before you can use the computer.
It gets even stranger with websites like GitHub. If someone downloads shared code and uses it, the person who posted it might be seen as responsible. But they have no way to know who downloaded it or what they did with it. The ~~law~~ bill would still expect their system to check ages and share that information with app makers.
They have many ways to do this if they want:
- go after US entities, like the Linux Foundation. They only need to go after enough to make them fall in line
- Make it illegal to distribute non compliant systems, including downloads
- Make it illegal to operate or even possess a non compliant system
Even if they don't go after individuals they can do a lot of damage in restricting trade and business use of something. The mere threat of legal action is though to make business owners nope out.
It's already risky to draw attention to yourself by using privacy focused phones when traveling. It's the ultimate "if your have nothing to hide why are you worried" situation.
They're forcing legitimate users to either give up or go underground and risk being seen as criminals.
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They're gonna call it The Super Duper American Act
This coming up not a fortnight after his floundering interview with The Bulwark is some Curb Your Enthusiasm level comedy, there's not even really an "at best" to look for in American politics, a handful of progressive anomalies that came about after MONTHS of tireless campaigning that we can only pray result in a trend toward some kind of wave but that's it, pay the right Democrat just enough money and they'll be dancing like a GOP worm.
The app "5 calls" is free, free of ads, and free of tracking. It will provide you with the phone numbers and emails of your representatives and senators. It will also provide you scripts so that you can speak directly on each potential topic. You can also set up daily, weekly, or monthly notifications to remind you.
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Goodbye device ownership, and the last vestiges of free speech will die with this bill as well.
The last vestiges of free speech always have and always will be offline.
USA being USA! Bravo!
I don't wish to live on this planet anymore :/
Initial rollout: Sir, every device on earth is controlled by someone at least 21 years old on xxxx-01-01 !
more laws from people who have no idea about anything. let’s say for a sec this isn’t even for mass surveillance (which it is) does verifying your age prevent you from actually being addicted to social medias? it’s the same experience no matter what…this whole thing just shifts onus of social media addiction from big tech companies to us. i implore everyone reading who’s in america to please contact your local representatives.
http://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
Canadian here. If I can't find a Linux distro that will not comply with this bullshit law, I'll use my GrapheneOS phone and nothing else. Wouldn't be the first time in my life I used a phone for everything.
Artix straight-up refused, and I presume antiX's general stance is against age-gating as they proudly state their anti-fascist stance in their tagline, and as far as I'm aware Devuan is against age-gating as well. I also can assume Parabola and Hyperbola are against this as well.
And then of course Ageless is protestware.
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I see how this is bad from a privacy standpoint, but how does it affect device ownership?
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"...and for other purposes."
this is insane, but i don't quite understand how will it be pushed on independent linux distros.
even if it'll be magically pushed into linux kernel, mfs will just create a fork without that shit... no?
They'll probably just ban Linux and BSD on the desktop and force Windows and macOS. If NK can force Red Star, then the Fourth Reich can force their approved OS.
Yeah, just make it a felony to use a non-standard OS.
"You installed Linux? What kind of criminal weirdo are you? What are you hiding? You must be a pedo!"
Because we care so much about those...
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glad that i read physical books and write to physical notebooks. moving to cave next week.
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