California Moves To Exempt Linux From Upcoming Age-Verification Law

The exemptions in age-verification laws for open source operating systems are bad, actually – OSnews

We’ve talked about the various age verification laws in the United States, and there’s been a development recently that a lot of people seem to think is a good thing: both the age verification laws in California and Colorado have received exemptions for open source operating systems. I fail to see how this is a good thing, and luckily, I don’t even have to explain why because Liam Squires-Hand from GamingOnLinux already did it for me. When all …

California Moves To Exempt Linux From Upcoming Age-Verification Law

California lawmakers are moving to exempt most open-source operating systems from the state's upcoming age-verification law after backlash from Linux and privacy advocates who warned that the original rules could force decentralized projects to collect users' ages. The amendment would likely shield ...

California Bill Adds Open-Source Carve-Out to Age Verification Rules

California’s AB 1856 amendment adds an open-source carve-out to OS-level age verification rules, likely excluding most Linux distributions.

Linux is Getting a Free Pass on Age Verification in California and Colorado

Age verification laws have been spreading fast, and we have been keeping tabs on them for a while now. California's Digital Age Assurance Act (AB 1043) was the first to land, signed in October 2025, with Colorado following with its own version (SB26-051).Neither made any concessions for open source software in the original language, which left Linux distributions and other community-run projects in a very uncomfortable dilemma.Both have since mo…

I knew Linux PCs would get a free pass from California's controversial age-verification law for operating systems

California lawmakers move to exempt Linux from the state’s new age-verification law, set to take effect January 1, 2027.