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Illinois Introducing Operating System Account Age Bill

ilga.gov

201–210 of 473 posts

Re: Illinois Introducing Operating System Account Age Bill

#201
post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It should be externalized to a degree. Facebook shouldn't be the ones verifying age, but there should be a trusted 3rd party service that does that, which just tells facebook "yes this user is old enough to use your service" or "no they're not old enough". It abso-fucking-lutely should not be at the OS level though, for so many reasons. Even the implementation alone would be a nightmare. Do I need to input my ID to u…

Except none of these bills (California or the one in question) as currently written require an ID to actually be verified, merely that the user provide an age. This seems intentional as it's seems to solve the user journey where a parent is able to set a reasonable default by simply setting up an associated account age at account creation. It's effectively just standardizing parental controls. I think this is a reaso…

[flagged]

Re: Illinois Introducing Operating System Account Age Bill

#202
post #53

The law as is written mainly targets social media platforms. For an OS to comply, all it needs to do is provide a field during account creation that records the user's date of birth as supplied by the user. There is no onus on the operator to confirm the veracity of this information, or even record it anywhere other than the local OS install itself. I think we're safe.

Couldn't the OS just opt out of social media? I wouldn't mind promising that I won't engage in social media online.

Re: Illinois Introducing Operating System Account Age Bill

#203

Every single sponsor of this bill is a Democrat. Why is that? I would think they’re against the type of puritanical moralizing that is behind most age verification bills.

You must be too young to remember Tipper Gore...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tipper_Gore

Re: Illinois Introducing Operating System Account Age Bill

#204

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And how will you use a library computer?

There's a couple of ways that could go down. One way is that you log in under a guest account and the guest account requires you to indicate your age. After your session is over, guest account logs out. Another way is that the library has two sets of computers, ones set for adults, ones set for minors. You need access card to use computer and the librarian will give you the age-appropriate access card. Another way is…

It's been a while but as a 12 year old I completely broke the library system, installed cracked Starcraft, and refroze DeepFreeze afterwards.

Not to counteract your point, just as an anecdote I like remembering.

Re: Illinois Introducing Operating System Account Age Bill

#205

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Slippery slopes are a logical fallacy. Every single decision moving you down the slope is intentional. No sliding occurs if nothing actively pushes things down the slide. Accordingly, it is never too late to lobby against these things.

> Slippery slopes are a logical fallacy. Every single decision moving you down the slope is intentional. First they came for the Communists And I did not speak out Because I was not a Communist Then they came for the Socialists And I did not speak out Because I was not a Socialist Then they came for the trade unionists And I did not speak out Because I was not a trade unionist Then they came for the Jews And I did no…

This poem should be updated for modern sensibilities:

First they came for the Communists

And I was like fuck those Commies

Because I was not a Communist

ditto

ditto

ditto

Then they came for me

And what the fuck bro this is totally not what I voted for

Re: Illinois Introducing Operating System Account Age Bill

#206
post #167
post #136

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is there a problem with this? Most users are using an iPhone and most iPhones already know the accurate age of their user

I’ve heard Android is a more common OS. In any case, if your OS fails to ask a user their age, it’s banned.

Okay, sorry yes that was an oversimplification. Android does ask your age as well, so that's all of them for mobile phones.

Re: Illinois Introducing Operating System Account Age Bill

#208
post #171

People here seem very against this, but I don't really see it. This only require to have a form asking about your age and provide an API to read it, right? Surely I'm missing something? Is the backlash due to fear of a slippery slope?

This is the framework for requiring government ID to use online services, which increasingly power even local computing (thanks to DRM and cloud services). They want to abolish anonymous use of internet services, because anonymous publishing at scale is powerful and dangerous to incumbents when they can’t retaliate with malicious prosecution, police harassment, or assassination.

Please explain how this law (or the CA one for that matter) require government IDs. It is worded specifically to _not_ require ID.

Re: Illinois Introducing Operating System Account Age Bill

#209
post #82

People here seem very against this, but I don't really see it. This only require to have a form asking about your age and provide an API to read it, right? Surely I'm missing something? Is the backlash due to fear of a slippery slope?

There are basically 2 possibilities with the outcome of this law: It's rather so full of holes as to be meaningless, or it's so invasive as to force open source projects to try to geofence Illinois (which wouldn't be effective either, but might be the kind of compliance theatre we'll see from maintainers worried about liability). Linux distros always have a "root" user. Does that user have to be asked its age before…

"so full of holes as to be meaningless"

what is the solution then to age gating apps that the public feels should be age gated? (TikTok, Instagram, etc). it seems like every app implementing its own guessing system would have even more holes, right?

this is one where I am sympathetic. the moment when someone, with their parent, is setting up a device seems like the best point to check age. right?

am I missing something?

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