Okay . . . What do we all think of this AGE VERIFICATION law that will
go into effect in California in January of 2027? It essentially effects
all operating systems, including Linux. Thoughts?

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xh3t7m2l2?BbAi0l4l2_0i2d3=220


~Elf

Visit our 1990's Web Site:
http://lifeseven.com/1990s


... As lacking in privacy as a goldfish.
___ Blue Wave/386 v2.30
--- SBBSecho 3.29-Win32
* Origin: Diamond Mine Online BBS 21:1/194 bbs.dmine.net:24 (21:1/194)

Elf wrote to ALL <=-

Okay . . . What do we all think of this AGE VERIFICATION law that will
go into effect in California in January of 2027? It essentially effects all operating systems, including Linux. Thoughts?

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xh3t7m2l2?BbAi0l4 l2_0i2d3=220

I read a bit about this. I'm not really sure how the hell it's really
going to work.

Do I think this is a good idea? I'm going to have to say no. After all
do I really want any interaction with the government from anywhere when
I decide to use my computer. Not to mention, I don't want to have to have
an external user account anywhere just to use my computer. We already
suffer enought with our cell Phone in that matter.

On the technical side of the house, are OS makers going to first ask if you are in CA or something when you install the OS or create an Account?
Or is this California's attempt to legistate for the world? Sort of like
what happend with car emission at one point. Are OS makers just going to
have OS version that can not be exported to CA or something? Is it against
the law to have a machine that was installed in AZ and taken and used in
CA. Note I have not read the law in question. These are just musing of
where things could always go? If external accounts are required? Could
someone sue based on privacy concerns? To me, there are a lot of unanswered questions.

I am going to turn this around on you. Since you posted it, What are your thoughts?



... MultiMail, the new multi-platform, multi-format offline reader!
___ MultiMail/Linux v0.49

--- Mystic BBS/QWK v1.12 A49 2024/05/29 (Linux/64)
* Origin: bbs.alsgeeklab.com:2323 (21:1/126)

Okay . . . What do we all think of this AGE VERIFICATION law that will
go into effect in California in January of 2027? It essentially effects all operating systems, including Linux. Thoughts?

Could care less what California does. No disrespect of anyone here that lives there.

|15-|07S|08cuz(TX|04!|08)

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2024/05/29 (Windows/32)
* Origin: |08He|04X|08eD|07 - Mystic - | hexedbbs.com:1337 (21:1/248)

On 10 Mar 2026, Scuz said the following...

Could care less what California does. No disrespect of anyone here that lives there.

I'd love to see the bump in sales that the VPN companies got when those Texas "adult verification" laws went into place last year.

... Computers are not intelligent. They only think they are.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2023/01/27 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: The Dark Side (21:3/234)

Re: Age Verification Law
By: Elf to ALL on Tue Mar 10 2026 03:33 pm

Howdy,

Okay . . . What do we all think of this AGE VERIFICATION law that will
go into effect in California in January of 2027? It essentially effects
all operating systems, including Linux. Thoughts?

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xh3t7m2l2?BbAi0l4l2 _0i 2d3=220

The link doesnt work for me.

Curious to know how age verficiation will affect linux.


...ëîåï
--- SBBSecho 3.29-Linux
* Origin: I'm playing with ANSI+videotex - wanna play too? (21:2/116)

Quoting Nblade to Elf <=-

On the technical side of the house, are OS makers going to first ask
if you are in CA or something when you install the OS or create an Account? Or is this California's attempt to legistate for the world?
Sort of like what happend with car emission at one point. Are OS
makers just going to have OS version that can not be exported to CA or something? Is it against the law to have a machine that was installed
in AZ and taken and used in CA. Note I have not read the law in

I am going to turn this around on you. Since you posted it, What are
your thoughts?

Well, I think it's just a trojan horse for the government to get deeper
into our personal lives. I don't think it's a good idea at all. They
know people are just going to put in bogus birthdates/ages. So the next
step is to "improve" the verification process by scanning your drivers
license or something similar.

Until systems that hold our personal information are truly hack proof, (never) this is just a bad idea.

Now, the problem with "Hey, it's in California, it doesn't affect us
unless we live there" is that Colorado is already pushing a similar law through. Brazil already did - now that's a whole country. I am betting
the EU will like this too.

Country Status Direction
Australia Active proposals Strong push toward OSlevel
France Expanding mandates Considering OSlevel
Spain Expanding mandates Aligning with OSlevel trend
UK Strict platform laws Likely OSlevel next
New Zealand Earlystage Evaluating OSlevel
Brazil Already passed OSlevel + appstore level
United States (statelevel) California leads OSlevel spreading to
other states

Colorado is pushing OSlevel age verificationvery explicitly. In fact, Colorados SB26051 is one of the closest copies of Californias AB1043,
and it would require operating systems (including Linux distributions)
to broadcast an age bracket signal to apps.

Violations carry civil penalties of:
Up to $2,500 per minor for negligent violations
Up to $7,500 per minor for intentional violations
Enforcement depends entirely on the state Attorney Generals willingness
to bring civil actions.

Ugh. It is just not good.

~Elf

Visit our 1990's Web Site:
http://lifeseven.com/1990s


... As lacking in privacy as a goldfish.
___ Blue Wave/386 v2.30
--- SBBSecho 3.29-Win32
* Origin: Diamond Mine Online BBS 21:1/194 bbs.dmine.net:24 (21:1/194)

Quoting Scuz to Elf <=-

Could care less what California does. No disrespect of anyone here
that lives there.

See my response to Nblade . . . it is already beyond California.

~Elf

Visit our 1990's Web Site:
http://lifeseven.com/1990s


... As lacking in privacy as a goldfish.
___ Blue Wave/386 v2.30
--- SBBSecho 3.29-Win32
* Origin: Diamond Mine Online BBS 21:1/194 bbs.dmine.net:24 (21:1/194)

Quoting Deon to Elf <=-

Curious to know how age verficiation will affect linux.

Well, Linux community is certainly not happy about this at all. There
are already YouTube videos on this very topic. CEO of System76 (they
sell computers with their own, just released, COSMIC desktop on Linux)
just released a statement on this that is spot on.

From their blog:
Most System76 employees installed operating systems and created accounts
on their computer when they were under 18 Limiting a childs ability to
explore what they can do with a computer limits their future.

I am hoping he is right on this quote:
Because Linux is freely distributed and anyone can install it, the bills language could technically make the person who downloads a Linux
distribution the device manufacturer.

And this quote of his made the most sense of all:
The challenges we face are neither technical nor legal. The only
solution is to educate our children about life with digital abundance.
Throwing them into the deep end when they're 16 or 18 is too late. Its a wonderful and weird world. Yes, there are dark corners. There always
will be. We have to teach our children what to do when they encounter
them and we have to trust them.


~Elf

Visit our 1990's Web Site:
http://lifeseven.com/1990s


... The best government teaches us to govern ourselves.
___ Blue Wave/386 v2.30
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* Origin: Diamond Mine Online BBS 21:1/194 bbs.dmine.net:24 (21:1/194)

I'd love to see the bump in sales that the VPN companies got when those Texas "adult verification" laws went into place last year.

yup! they're gonna make a lot of cheese! its going to be interestinf in how this all plays out.

|15-|07S|08cuz(TX|04!|08)

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2024/05/29 (Windows/32)
* Origin: |08He|04X|08eD|07 - Mystic - | hexedbbs.com:1337 (21:1/248)

Re: Re: Age Verification Law
By: Elf to NBLADE on Tue Mar 10 2026 07:03 pm

Howdy,

Country Status Direction
Australia Active proposals Strong push toward OSlevel

Can you give me a source for this...


...ëîåï
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Re: Re: Age Verification Law
By: Scuz to Elf on Tue Mar 10 2026 04:54 pm

Okay . . . What do we all think of this AGE VERIFICATION law that will
go into effect in California in January of 2027? It essentially effects
all operating systems, including Linux. Thoughts?

Could care less what California does. No disrespect of anyone here that

I'm wondering how this will affect people using the software anywhere though.. What I'm wondering is if OS makers will add this feature and if it will apply to anyone anywhere, or if they'll make it only apply to users of the OS who are in California (and then, it would have to have some way to determine whether someone is in California).

Nightfox
--- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
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On 11 Mar 2026, deon said the following...

Re: Age Verification Law
By: Elf to ALL on Tue Mar 10 2026 03:33 pm

Okay . . . What do we all think of this AGE VERIFICATION law that will go into effect in California in January of 2027? It essentially effects all operating systems, including Linux. Thoughts?

Curious to know how age verficiation will affect linux.

my guess is if it doesn't get completely blown out of the water (all people
who could possibly implement such a thing being like "lol f.u.") it'd be implemented in a kernel module or compile time parameter. and you can guarantee there will be instructions on how to disable that all over the
internet, probably before support is even placed in the kernel.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/25 (Windows/32)
* Origin: cold fusion - cfbbs.net - grand rapids, mi (21:1/616)

Re: Re: Age Verification Law
By: fusion to deon on Tue Mar 10 2026 11:18 pm

Howdy,

my guess is if it doesn't get completely blown out of the water (all people who could possibly implement such a thing being like "lol f.u.") it'd be implemented in a kernel module or compile time parameter. and you can guarantee there will be instructions on how to disable that all over the internet, probably before support is even placed in the kernel.

Not sure how a "kernel" will validate that I was born in 1970 vs being born in 2015?


...ëîåï
--- SBBSecho 3.29-Linux
* Origin: I'm playing with ANSI+videotex - wanna play too? (21:2/116)

On 10 Mar 2026, Nightfox said the following...

Re: Re: Age Verification Law
By: Scuz to Elf on Tue Mar 10 2026 04:54 pm

Okay . . . What do we all think of this AGE VERIFICATION law that wi
go into effect in California in January of 2027? It essentially effe
all operating systems, including Linux. Thoughts?

Could care less what California does. No disrespect of anyone here t

I'm wondering how this will affect people using the software anywhere though.. What I'm wondering is if OS makers will add this feature and
if it will apply to anyone anywhere, or if they'll make it only apply to users of the OS who are in California (and then, it would have to have some way to determine whether someone is in California).

i'm curious to see what apple does.. they have a surprisingly pro-privacy stance on a lot of these things.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/25 (Windows/32)
* Origin: cold fusion - cfbbs.net - grand rapids, mi (21:1/616)

On 11 Mar 2026, deon said the following...

Re: Re: Age Verification Law
By: fusion to deon on Tue Mar 10 2026 11:18 pm

Howdy,

my guess is if it doesn't get completely blown out of the water (all pe who could possibly implement such a thing being like "lol f.u.") it'd b implemented in a kernel module or compile time parameter. and you can guarantee there will be instructions on how to disable that all over th internet, probably before support is even placed in the kernel.

Not sure how a "kernel" will validate that I was born in 1970 vs being born in 2015?

i don't know how any of it's supposed to work. most people have root access to their own machines and would just disable everything related to age verification.. so i guess, what, they try to make young people download an age restricted kernel? you'd move it out of userspace in the hope a kid isn't smart enough to rebuild it?

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/25 (Windows/32)
* Origin: cold fusion - cfbbs.net - grand rapids, mi (21:1/616)

Re: Re: Age Verification Law
By: fusion to deon on Tue Mar 10 2026 11:38 pm

Howdy,

i don't know how any of it's supposed to work. most people have root access to their own machines and would just disable everything related to age verification.. so i guess, what, they try to make young people download an age restricted kernel? you'd move it out of userspace in the hope a kid isn't smart enough to rebuild it?

Lets say its possible that this "kernel" cannot be compromised, or worked around...

I still dont know how the kernel would know that I was born in 1970 vs 2015.

For me, there are too many assumptions:
* The PC needs to be hooked up to the internet to be functional?

* A database somewhere has to validate that I am who I say I am.

* Who maintains said database? What if the information in it is out of date or incorrect, I cannot use a PC (that maybe I just purchased)?

* Who protects said database, to keep the hackers out.

* What happens when it's compromised.

This all sounds ridiculous to me.

Next will the story be that the police will control my car so that I cannot speed in it, or my 10 year old cannot get in it a drive it... Actually that might be good, given that it is underage teens that seem to be nicking cars these days...


...ëîåï
--- SBBSecho 3.29-Linux
* Origin: I'm playing with ANSI+videotex - wanna play too? (21:2/116)

Okay . . . What do we all think of this AGE VERIFICATION law that will
go into effect in California in January of 2027? It essentially effects all operating systems, including Linux. Thoughts?


https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xh3t7m2l2?BbAi0l4l2

What are people doing to push against this agenda? Is there anything we can do to fight it, petition it?

... A Skydiver is taken by the gravity of his situation.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2023/04/30 (Linux/64)
* Origin: Clutch BBS * telnet://clutchbbs.com (21:1/199)

Okay . . . What do we all think of this AGE VERIFICATION law that will go into effect in California in January of 2027? It essentially effects all operating systems, including Linux. Thoughts?

Could care less what California does. No disrespect of anyone here that live there.

That would be my initial reaction. However, as another posted pointed out,
I wonder about the ripple effects and how it might/could affect users who never venture into California.

---
þ BgNet 1.0á12 ÷ moe's tavern * 1-502-875-8938 * moetiki.ddns.net:27
* Origin: Capitol City Online (21:1/175)

Now, the problem with "Hey, it's in California, it doesn't affect us
unless we live there" is that Colorado is already pushing a similar law through. Brazil already did - now that's a whole country. I am betting
the EU will like this too.

I don't have the details, i.e. OS level, etc., but Wisconsin and Michigan
have already tried, or are trying, to put similar intrusive age
verification laws in. One of the southern states... Mississippi?... has tried/is trying also.

IIRC, the EU has at least looked into it.

It will ripple.
I have been posting about these moves some in the FIDO Conspiracy echo.

---
þ BgNet 1.0á12 ÷ moe's tavern * 1-502-875-8938 * moetiki.ddns.net:27
* Origin: Capitol City Online (21:1/175)

Country Status Direction
Australia Active proposals Strong push toward OSlevel

Can you give me a source for this...

I have been posting about this in FIDO Conspiracy. My source is Techradar
so you can look it up. If you subscribe to TQWNET, there have also been Techrader-generated posts in the general tech echo, IIRC just since Monday there have been many.

---
þ BgNet 1.0á12 ÷ moe's tavern * 1-502-875-8938 * moetiki.ddns.net:27
* Origin: Capitol City Online (21:1/175)

Okay . . . What do we all think of this AGE VERIFICATION law that will
go into effect in California in January of 2027? It essentially effects all operating systems, including Linux. Thoughts?

It's terrible. It won't help with anything it purports to help with, but will make a variety of problems worse.

That said, "this is a link to a literal law that got passed somewhere" is going to be a bit challenging to remain non-political.

Still, hopefully people can talk about their personal annoyances. E.g., regardless of what people think about the law, I'm not thrilled about the idea of giving info to my OS, which it then passes on to web sites.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A48 (Linux/64)
* Origin: Storm BBS (21:2/108)

Re: Age Verification Law
By: Elf to ALL on Tue Mar 10 2026 03:33 pm

Okay . . . What do we all think of this AGE VERIFICATION law that will
go into effect in California in January of 2027? It essentially effects
all operating systems, including Linux. Thoughts?

I suspect this thread falls into the No Politics rule.

Anyway, the people enacting or abiding to this law can choke on my dick for what I care.


--
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--- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
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Re: Re: Age Verification Law
By: fusion to deon on Tue Mar 10 2026 11:38 pm

i don't know how any of it's supposed to work. most people have root access to their own machines and would just disable everything related to age verification.. so i guess, what, they try to make young people download an age restricted kernel? you'd move it out of userspace in the hope a kid isn't smart enough to rebuild it?

Endgame is hardware attestation. ie. they only allow the sale of computers configured to boot only compliant operating systems, in this case operating systems approved by the government.


--
gopher://gopher.richardfalken.com/1/richardfalken
--- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
* Origin: Palantir * palantirbbs.ddns.net * Pensacola, FL * (21:2/138)

Endgame is hardware attestation. ie. they only allow the sale of
computers configured to boot only compliant operating systems, in this case operating systems approved by the government.

Secure Boot already sucks.

All these things where, in theory there are positive things that make sense, but in practice it's awful.

Thus why, with Secure Boot, especially when doing a dual-boot system, one has to ask Microsoft servers for permission when running Linux.

(Not that I'm a super expert on it. I like the idea of defense of root kits, but really hate the idea that someone else gets to control my computer, whether it's malware authors or Microslop.)

Anyway, as is normal, I'll be happy to stop if anyone is bothered by the discussion in any way.

Though I _am_ curious if there's anyone who's on the "in favor" side, given the set of people who go to BBSs in 2026.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A48 (Linux/64)
* Origin: Storm BBS (21:2/108)

Nightfox wrote to Scuz <=-

I'm wondering how this will affect people using the software anywhere though.. What I'm wondering is if OS makers will add this feature and
if it will apply to anyone anywhere, or if they'll make it only apply
to users of the OS who are in California (and then, it would have to
have some way to determine whether someone is in California).

You know that was my question. Are maker just going to apply it anywhere?
Are they are going to be version that are havent and not have it?

... Gone crazy, be back later, please leave message.
___ MultiMail/Linux v0.49

--- Mystic BBS/QWK v1.12 A49 2024/05/29 (Linux/64)
* Origin: bbs.alsgeeklab.com:2323 (21:1/126)

That said, "this is a link to a literal law that got passed somewhere" is goi to be a bit challenging to remain non-political.

Still, hopefully people can talk about their personal annoyances. E.g., regardless of what people think about the law, I'm not thrilled about the ide of giving info to my OS, which it then passes on to web sites.

Yeah, it involes something political but also could have a direct affect
on computers and our hobby. We will just have to try to keep it civil in
that regard.

---
þ BgNet 1.0á12 ÷ moe's tavern * 1-502-875-8938 * moetiki.ddns.net:27
* Origin: Capitol City Online (21:1/175)

Re: Re: Age Verification Law
By: Adept to Arelor on Wed Mar 11 2026 09:27 pm

Secure Boot already sucks.

All these things where, in theory there are positive things that make sense, but in practice it's awful.

Thus why, with Secure Boot, especially when doing a dual-boot system, one has to ask Microsoft servers for permission when running Linux.

I remember when they were implementing Secure Boot everywhere and I warned people it was going to suck. Lots of IT dudes were so happy about it. "Yeah, now we are going to be able to ensure we only boot approved kernels!"

Some time after, they were so happy and telling me "I told you so. I am running this 75,000 USD Supermicroboard and it has a great Secure Board implementation. I can sign my own stuff and use my own keys. Your fears Secure Boot were going to suck were unfounded. As usual, you were wrong and you shoudl eat shit and die, Arelor"

Some time after, those same people would buy a 200 bucks budget laptop for home

and they could not use their own keys

and they had no flexibility with its Secure Boot whatsoever

because it is easy to boast functional implementations in Enterprise hardware, but consumer grade equipment always gets the corners cut.


--
gopher://gopher.richardfalken.com/1/richardfalken
--- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
* Origin: Palantir * palantirbbs.ddns.net * Pensacola, FL * (21:2/138)

BY: Elf (21:1/194)

|11E|09> |10Okay . . . What do we all think of this AGE VERIFICATION law that will|07
|11E|09> |10go into effect in California in January of 2027? It essentially effects|07
|11E|09> |10all operating systems, including Linux. Thoughts?|07
Even your refrigerator.



--- WWIV 5.9.03749[Windows]
* Origin: inland utopia * california * iutopia.duckdns.org:2023 (21:4/108)

BY: Scuz (21:1/248)

|11S|09> |10Could care less what California does. No disrespect of anyone here that|07
|11S|09> |10lives there.|07
Its happening all over the country. You have to start calling your legislators. If you live in Colorado for example call them to say no on SB26-051


--- WWIV 5.9.03749[Windows]
* Origin: inland utopia * california * iutopia.duckdns.org:2023 (21:4/108)