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Re: Linux to be illegal in California?

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Steve Hayes <hayesstw@telkomsa.net> wrote:
> On Tue, 12 May 2026 20:45:59 -0000 (UTC), John McCue
> <jmclnx@gmail.com.invalid> wrote:
> 
>>Trimmed followups to: comp.os.linux.misc
>>
>>Steve Hayes <hayesstw@telkomsa.net> wrote:
>>> Any truth in the rumour that California has just passed a law that
>>> would make Linux illegal there?
>>
>>ASFAIK it is a false rumor.  My guess what you heard was
>>Age Validation:
>>
>>https://lwn.net/Articles/1062112/
> 
> Yet the link you posted confirms the rumour.

I guess you can say that, but it is not an outright ban of
the kernel.
If the distro add Age Verification then that distro is not
illegal.  I heard systemd added an optional age field a
specific distro can force upon its use on their users.

> 
> Most Linux distributions are stand-alone and can be installed on
> private computers that do not need to be connected with the internet.
> 
> "The law requires operating-system providers to provide a form of age
> verification that can be queried by any web site, application, or
> online service "that distributes and facilitates the download of
> applications from third-party developers" for computers, mobile
> devices, or other general-purpose computing devices. The law goes into
> effect on January 1, 2027, which leaves less than ten months for
> distributions to determine if the law applies to them and then
> implement a solution if it does."
> 
> That would make most Linux distributions illegal in California. 

Unless they add age verification.  The only way age
verification would really work is if all applications query
an Age Field.  I expect GUI browsers will be change to look
for an age field.  As for other items, I really doubt tin,
ssh, sftp/ftp and items like that will ever be changed.

>>> Is California run by Maga now?
>>
>>The age verification law is a response to "protect the children"
>>so it is supported by both the GOP and Democrats.
>>
>>I heard these laws are being funded by Meta so Meta can hand the cost
>>of Age Verification to the OS.
> 
> And to enable Meta to collect more information on non-users for its
> own use. 

At this point, anyone on meta, ticktock, twitter and other
things like that deserve what they get.

-- 
[t]csh(1) - "An elegant shell, for a more... civilized age."
                        - Paraphrasing Star Wars

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Linux to be illegal in California? Steve Hayes <hayesstw@telkomsa.net> - 2026-05-12 17:33 +0200
  Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Bobbie Sellers <bliss-sf4ever@dslextreme.com> - 2026-05-12 08:57 -0700
    Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Robert Heller <heller@deepsoft.com> - 2026-05-12 18:16 +0000
      Re: Linux to be illegal in California? rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-05-13 04:52 +0000
        Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2026-05-13 14:25 +0000
      Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Steve Hayes <hayesstw@telkomsa.net> - 2026-05-13 08:40 +0200
      Re: Linux to be illegal in California? The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-05-13 12:48 +0100
        Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2026-05-13 14:31 +0000
          Re: Linux to be illegal in California? rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-05-13 17:49 +0000
            Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2026-05-13 18:55 +0000
              Re: Linux to be illegal in California? ram@zedat.fu-berlin.de (Stefan Ram) - 2026-05-13 19:13 +0000
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-05-13 22:41 +0200
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-05-14 02:05 +0000
              Re: Linux to be illegal in California? rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-05-14 02:01 +0000
    Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Steve Hayes <hayesstw@telkomsa.net> - 2026-05-13 08:38 +0200
      Re: Linux to be illegal in California? gazelle@shell.xmission.com (Kenny McCormack) - 2026-05-13 13:12 +0000
        Re: Linux to be illegal in California? rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-05-13 17:57 +0000
          Age verification methods (Was: Linux to be illegal in California?) gazelle@shell.xmission.com (Kenny McCormack) - 2026-05-13 18:26 +0000
            Re: Age verification methods (Was: Linux to be illegal in California?) "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-05-13 22:44 +0200
          Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Robert Riches <spamtrap42@jacob21819.net> - 2026-05-14 03:31 +0000
  Re: Linux to be illegal in California? John McCue <jmclnx@gmail.com.invalid> - 2026-05-12 20:45 +0000
    Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Steve Hayes <hayesstw@telkomsa.net> - 2026-05-13 06:18 +0200
      Re: Linux to be illegal in California? c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-05-13 00:24 -0400
        Re: Linux to be illegal in California? The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-05-13 12:55 +0100
          Re: Linux to be illegal in California? rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-05-13 17:54 +0000
      Re: Linux to be illegal in California? John McCue <jmclnx@gmail.com.invalid> - 2026-05-13 17:15 +0000
        Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Steve Hayes <hayesstw@telkomsa.net> - 2026-05-14 05:44 +0200
  Re: Linux to be illegal in California? The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-05-13 12:44 +0100

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