The unfortunate need for an "age verification" API for legal compliance

It seems shortsighted to define the age bracket API specifically around California's chosen four brackets. Why not merely return two integers bounding the age bracket, so that the API can adapt to different regulatory environments?

Re: The unfortunate need for an "age verification" API for legal compliance

#5

Post by szmarczak » Tue, Mar 03, 2026, 9:42 PM UTC

jjgreen wrote: post #2

Easy, "For legal reasons, this OS is not available in California"

This is the way. California wants stupid (even immoral) laws? Companies cannot use those OS? Oh noes, what a shame.

Also, why the age brackets? It should be a simple boolean whether the user is an adult or not. Age brackets enable targeting.

Also the idea itself is just useless because kids will just learn to patch binaries.

Re: The unfortunate need for an "age verification" API for legal compliance

#6

Post by evanjrowley » Tue, Mar 03, 2026, 11:07 PM UTC

Perhaps they should release a "Kids" version of Ubuntu for regions where age verification is important.

Use it as an opportunity to promote the "Ubuntu Core" architecture (i.e., "immutable" Ubuntu) just like Microsoft did with Windows "S" editions.

Re: The unfortunate need for an "age verification" API for legal compliance

#7

Post by szmarczak » Tue, Mar 03, 2026, 11:41 PM UTC

jjgreen wrote: post #2

Easy, "For legal reasons, this OS is not available in California"

I just realized. Does this mean that developing an OS without age checks is illegal in those states?

Re: The unfortunate need for an "age verification" API for legal compliance

#8

Post by jasomill » Wed, Mar 04, 2026, 12:09 AM UTC

everdrive wrote: post #3

Do we know whether any Linux distributions will be refusing to implement anything like this?

I'd personally love to see the fireworks if Microsoft refuses to implement this, and takes no action to prevent Windows from being imported into or used in California?

How could California plausibly respond that would harm Microsoft more than its own economy?

Re: The unfortunate need for an "age verification" API for legal compliance

#9

Post by Jigsy » Wed, Mar 04, 2026, 9:15 AM UTC

evanjrowley wrote: post #6

Perhaps they should release a "Kids" version of Ubuntu for regions where age verification is important. Use it as an opportunity to promote the "Ubuntu Core" architecture (i.e., "immutable" Ubuntu) just like Microsoft did with Windows "S" editions.

Edubuntu comes to mind.

Re: The unfortunate need for an "age verification" API for legal compliance

#10

Post by everdrive » Wed, Mar 04, 2026, 11:39 AM UTC

jasomill wrote: post #8

everdrive wrote: post #3

Do we know whether any Linux distributions will be refusing to implement anything like this?

I'd personally love to see the fireworks if Microsoft refuses to implement this, and takes no action to prevent Windows from being imported into or used in California? How could California plausibly respond that would harm Microsoft more than its own economy?

Microsoft would never do that. They'll rebrand this as "Defender of Verification," package it into a bigger deal where you have no idea what you're buying, and then find a way to cram AI into it.