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Groups > comp.os.linux.misc > #86834

Re: Linux to be illegal in California?

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On 2026-05-17 17:11, Rich wrote:
> Stéphane CARPENTIER <sc@fiat-linux.fr> wrote:
>> Le 16-05-2026, Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> a écrit :
>>> Most of us already perform security-sensitive operations on the
>>> Internet on a daily basis, without thinking too hard about it: the
>>> same sorts of mechanisms can be adapted to provide the necessary age
>>> verification.
>>
>> You have to do better than that to explain how it can be done to prevent
>> me to access my personal computer without age verification with Linux
>> installed on it.
> 
> You may have overlooked the trolls "on the internet" part of his
> statement.  Catching that meaning is critical to understand the point
> he's making (surprisingly, without being trollish this time).
> 
> *They* simply won't be able to prevent you accessing your personal
> computer that is running linux, for the very reason you later state,
> you can "undo" anything that might have been "done" to your Linux
> installation to remove the age restrictions.
> 
> Therefore, barring some *other* law requiring only "Android/Apple
> style" computers be in use by *everyone* there's nothing that can
> prevent you from accessing your personal computer, so long as you
> remain an isolated (i.e., not networked) CPU of one.
> 
> But, where *they* could go (note, no idea if the politicians will ever
> reach this point) is requiring some "government authenticator" be used
> for accessing networked services (i.e., for accessing the internet)
> [1].  You would need to use a govt. issued ID (drivers license for US
> residents, national ID card for much of the rest of the world) to
> authenticate your age with the "Age-ta" govt. system, and all internet
> services (i.e., all websites) which "might" in some way happen to
> sometimes offer up "age inappropriate" content [2] to also use the govt
> "Age-ta" system to authenticate that you are indeed "old-enough" to be
> served content.
> 
> The result could then be that all "internet properties" that might
> return anything that might be "age-inapproriate" will be required to
> follow this authenticator.
> 
> So if your local Linux PC has not "authenticated" you with the govt.
> system, then Google's search page would be required to returns a "not
> authorized" page instead of allowing you to perform a search, because
> *sometimes* search results that are not "age appropriate" are returned.
> Bing would similarilly be required to do so as well, plus duck duck go,
> plus all the other search engines.  Now, you can no longer search the
> internet for anything unless you first "authenticate your age" via the
> govt "Age-ta" system.
> 
> Similarially, because gmail and hotmail and outlook.com and the other
> "email providers" *could* be used by pedo's to groom under age users,
> the politicials will force them to also "authenticate your age".  So
> now you get a "not authorized" page instead of your email until your
> Linux machine bends the knee to the govt censors.
> 
> And if the politicians extend things enough, they *could* require that
> all websites use the govt age authenticator.  And if that happens,
> suddenly you find yourself cut off from the internet.  No websites, no
> email, potentially no Usenet if Usenet providers end up ensnared in the
> "all websites" sweep, until your Linux PC authenticates via the govt.
> auth. system.
> 
> I.e., they (politicians) flip the internet from "free to access for
> anyone" to "everyone must be 'logged in' before any access is allowed".
> 
> The plumbing already exists.  That's how you "log in" to your bank, or
> your gmail account now.  If they extend "must log in" to *everything*
> then your choices as a hold out Linux user modifying your local OS to
> remove age verification have two choices.  Return to the 1980's state
> of computing (no internet, at best sneaker-net for file sharing via
> in-person trading of USB thumb drives) or bend the knee to the censors,
> add back the age verification authenticator to your Linux system, and
> be able to access the post 1990's computing world.
> 
> That's how they would do it.  They don't prevent you access to your
> local computer.  They shut you off from "the world" and isolate you
> until you give up and bend the knee.
> 
> And with the average joe's perception of "the internet" being the
> giants (google, facebook, amazon) and little to no recognition of the
> larger "internet" it only takes the "giants" complying with the govt.
> mandates for a tipping point to be reached such that the rest of the
> internet simply complies because doing so is easier (and more
> profitable) than resisting.
> 
> 
> 
> [1] If you are at all familiar with it, something like Okta, but
> instead this one would be (made up name) "Age-ta" instead
> (https://www.okta.com/)
> 
> [2] Note than in standard politician method, the definition of
> "age-inappropriate" will begin narrow such that it looks like they are
> targeting porn, but once in place the definition will begin expanding
> to target anything the political class does not like that occurs after
> the laws are all in place.

It is not only porn. It is accessing a Linux site like, for instance, 
opensuse.org to contribute (or to post a question in the forum. As an 
example, there is an ongoing discussion at opensuse about legal terms. 
This was posted two days ago:

+++------------------------------------------ Terms of Site Update
Hi folks -

In concert with SUSE Legal, we've agreed to revise the recently updated 
Terms of Site.  The original text of:

"By using this site, you represent that you are at least 16 years of age 
or the age of majority in your jurisdiction."

has been changed to:

"By creating an openSUSE account, you represent that you are at least 16 
years of age or the age of digital consent in your jurisdiction. If you 
are under 16 years of age (or below the applicable age of digital 
consent in your jurisdiction), you may only create an account with the 
verifiable consent of your parent or legal guardian. No age requirement 
applies to general browsing or passive access to publicly available 
content on this site."

We recognize the work isn't done.  We don't want to ban contributors 
under the age of 16 either but we don't have a system in place to handle 
"verifiable consent" yet.  That _is_ a legal requirement in the US and 
EU.  We're still investigating how to do that in a way that is both 
legally sufficient and acceptable to the community.  That's an ongoing 
conversation with SUSE Legal and I'll bring an update when I have 
something to share.

Thanks,

-Jeff
------------------------------------------++-

-- 
Cheers, Carlos.
ES🇪🇸, EU🇪🇺;

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  Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Bobbie Sellers <bliss-sf4ever@dslextreme.com> - 2026-05-12 08:57 -0700
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              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
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            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? Stéphane CARPENTIER <sc@fiat-linux.fr> - 2026-05-15 20:29 +0000
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              Re: Linux to be illegal in California? c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-05-16 03:04 -0400
              Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-05-16 08:15 +0000
            Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Stéphane CARPENTIER <sc@fiat-linux.fr> - 2026-05-16 08:56 +0000
              Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-05-16 23:55 +0000
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Stéphane CARPENTIER <sc@fiat-linux.fr> - 2026-05-17 10:59 +0000
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2026-05-17 15:11 +0000
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-05-17 16:44 +0000
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-05-17 19:59 +0200
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-05-17 22:42 +0000
          Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-05-16 00:37 +0000
            Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Stéphane CARPENTIER <sc@fiat-linux.fr> - 2026-05-16 09:16 +0000
              Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Borax Man <boraxman@geidiprime.invalid> - 2026-05-16 12:35 +0000
            Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Nuno Silva <nunojsilva@invalid.invalid> - 2026-05-16 10:59 +0100
          Re: Linux to be illegal in California? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-05-16 08:44 +0200
            Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-05-16 08:13 +0000
              Re: Linux to be illegal in California? c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-05-16 23:42 -0400
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-05-17 06:07 +0100
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-05-17 02:17 -0400
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-05-17 10:28 +0100
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-05-17 16:53 +0000
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-05-17 21:02 +0100
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2026-05-17 15:25 +0000
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-05-17 16:52 +0000
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2026-05-17 18:19 +0000
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2026-05-17 15:12 +0000
            Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Stéphane CARPENTIER <sc@fiat-linux.fr> - 2026-05-16 09:29 +0000
              Re: Linux to be illegal in California? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-05-16 11:41 +0200
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Roger Blake <rogblake@iname.invalid> - 2026-05-16 22:21 +0000
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-05-17 14:43 +0200
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Roger Blake <rogblake@iname.invalid> - 2026-05-17 13:08 +0000
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-05-17 22:49 +0000
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Roger Blake <rogblake@iname.invalid> - 2026-05-18 12:34 +0000
              Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Borax Man <boraxman@geidiprime.invalid> - 2026-05-16 12:32 +0000
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Bobbie Sellers <bliss-sf4ever@dslextreme.com> - 2026-05-16 09:49 -0700
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-05-16 21:32 +0000
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Borax Man <boraxman@geidiprime.invalid> - 2026-05-18 12:44 +0000
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Rich <rich@example.invalid> - 2026-05-16 20:40 +0000
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-05-16 23:09 +0200
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-05-16 21:27 +0000
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-05-16 22:14 +0200
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Borax Man <boraxman@geidiprime.invalid> - 2026-05-18 12:37 +0000
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-05-18 13:48 +0100
              Re: Linux to be illegal in California? rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-05-16 21:16 +0000
        Re: Linux to be illegal in California? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-05-15 22:54 +0200
          Re: Linux to be illegal in California? c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-05-15 23:56 -0400
            Re: Linux to be illegal in California? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-05-16 08:47 +0200
              Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-05-16 08:11 +0000
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-05-16 11:24 +0200
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Marc Haber <mh+usenetspam2616@zugschl.us> - 2026-05-16 20:15 +0200
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-05-16 22:05 +0200
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Roger Blake <rogblake@iname.invalid> - 2026-05-16 22:24 +0000
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? Bobbie Sellers <bliss-sf4ever@dslextreme.com> - 2026-05-16 16:21 -0700
                Re: Linux to be illegal in California? c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-05-16 23:38 -0400
  Re: Linux to be illegal in California? The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-05-13 12:44 +0100

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