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California lawmakers unanimously pass Linux exemption from age-verification law

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Re: California lawmakers unanimously pass Linux exemption from age-verification law

#231

We got into this mess because people wanted Facebook to have age verification, and MZ decided to push the responsibility on to OSes. The result looks to me like Facebook will ban access from non-approved OSes like Linux. Android will still be allowed, GrapheneOS probably not.

TBH, OS based parental filters are the optimal solution here, especially if implemented in a proper way. Kids don't buy phones and computers, parents do. When setting up the account for the first time, the parents could set the account to be an "underage one", all the apps, browsers, etc., would get the USER_IS_UNDERAGE flag and filter content according to that. No need for every site to ask and verify the age, just…

Yeah, there’s negative backlash against the age gate stuff but as long as you’re implementing it without privacy concerns like ID collection and verification it’s actually a really good idea.

A parent can change the setting in the OS and have every website and app comply with the OS setting is such a better situation than having to deal with a patchwork of content blockers, social media account settings, and parental controls that leak like a sieve.

Realistically, parents often don’t really have a good way to know what websites and apps you sign up for if you don’t have a crazily locked down device. Parental controls are complicated for non-technical parents and they usually know less than their kids do about the Internet.

A global OS age gate solves a lot of those problems, especially since OS-level controls are way easier to enforce and lock down compared to other methods.

Re: California lawmakers unanimously pass Linux exemption from age-verification law

#232
post #177
post #62

So is anyone going to revert the commits that jumped the gun on this? E.g. systemd's birthdate field https://github.com/systemd/systemd/pull/40954

That commit message mentions laws from California, Colorado, and Brazil. Today’s article is only about how the Californian law is inapplicable. It seems to me that the feature is still valid.

Correct. For example, Illinois’ draft law has no open source exception.

Re: California lawmakers unanimously pass Linux exemption from age-verification law

#234

We got into this mess because people wanted Facebook to have age verification, and MZ decided to push the responsibility on to OSes. The result looks to me like Facebook will ban access from non-approved OSes like Linux. Android will still be allowed, GrapheneOS probably not.

TBH, OS based parental filters are the optimal solution here, especially if implemented in a proper way. Kids don't buy phones and computers, parents do. When setting up the account for the first time, the parents could set the account to be an "underage one", all the apps, browsers, etc., would get the USER_IS_UNDERAGE flag and filter content according to that. No need for every site to ask and verify the age, just…

This assumes the parent knows a little bit about computers - as opposed to the child being the one that's constantly helping the parent out.

Re: California lawmakers unanimously pass Linux exemption from age-verification law

#235
post #100

this bill fixes nothing. if you wanted to prevent harm from the internet you would start with proper privacy laws. but we all know why that will never happen

Privacy laws don't prevent foreign entities from influencing elections and making children addicted.

This is a reach. Children can't vote. If that was a real concern you would be banning adults from social media.

Re: California lawmakers unanimously pass Linux exemption from age-verification law

#236

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

Which part of "OSS"? The clown developers who work for Big Business? How do they represent any of the Average Joe here?

The people making PRs like this. Clearly,

Re: California lawmakers unanimously pass Linux exemption from age-verification law

#237

We got into this mess because people wanted Facebook to have age verification, and MZ decided to push the responsibility on to OSes. The result looks to me like Facebook will ban access from non-approved OSes like Linux. Android will still be allowed, GrapheneOS probably not.

Can’t think of a better outcome than Meta guaranteeing all parents that Linux is the safest OS for their kids. Steam Machines under every Christmas tree.

Re: California lawmakers unanimously pass Linux exemption from age-verification law

#239

Earlier quoted context omitted.

also, it's a complete stub that does zero of interest.

Stub code that doesn't do anything sounds like a great candidate for removal.

This IS systemd we’re talking about.

Re: California lawmakers unanimously pass Linux exemption from age-verification law

#240

We got into this mess because people wanted Facebook to have age verification, and MZ decided to push the responsibility on to OSes. The result looks to me like Facebook will ban access from non-approved OSes like Linux. Android will still be allowed, GrapheneOS probably not.

> The result looks to me like Facebook will ban access from non-approved OSes like Linux

Oh no! Anyways…

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