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submitted 18 hours ago* (last edited 18 hours ago) by pglpm@lemmy.ca to c/linux@lemmy.ml

For those interested on the question of age verification and GNU/Linux: be aware that Systemd v261-rc1 was recently released. It now implements an optional birth date field in the JSON user database (see second item under "Other changes").

The implementation of this field was prompted by age-verification or -attestation laws.

(Age-verification status of Open Source Operating Systems.)

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[-] AndrewZabar@lemmy.world 16 points 11 hours ago

Could someone explain to me why numerous Linux development groups are jumping on board with this bullshit? This is I think the third such post I've read that a distro or however you call it, is integrating the age check. Since when does the Linux community get on board with Big Brother????

[-] helix@feddit.org 1 points 31 minutes ago

Well I mean if you add an age field now and pretend it works you might get in front of laws which would require a shittier version. Now they can say "we have age verification".

[-] girsaysdoom@sh.itjust.works 20 points 10 hours ago

A surprising amount of people in the open source community lean alt-right including the lead dev of systemd, some of FUTO, and others like hyprland, etc. Others like the actual dev that committed the age field code to systemd state they are apolitical but in reality are actually enabling those that want to do harm.

[-] spicehoarder@lemmy.zip 3 points 1 hour ago

There's a breed of incel who benefits from power tripping in community projects. Think reddit mods.

[-] atzanteol@sh.itjust.works 2 points 10 hours ago

Because it's a legal requirement in some areas now.

[-] girsaysdoom@sh.itjust.works 7 points 10 hours ago

But who is checking? Last I read, these laws were created in a few states as a preventative measure against potential Federal laws that could push these issues even further. I haven't heard of any enforcement plans to date or anything about how it should report, just "add age verification to operating systems."

[-] atzanteol@sh.itjust.works 9 points 9 hours ago

It's not up to the systemd team to decide for you what your risk tolerance is. They're just providing a means to be compliant should you want/need it.

this post was submitted on 23 May 2026
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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