Linux and open source getting age checking exemptions could be problematic
Linux and open source getting age checking exemptions could be problematic
Publish Date: 2026-05-26 09:50:00
Source Domain: www.gamingonlinux.com
You’ve seen the news about various US states (and even a US-wide bill!) for operating systems to implement age checking – but exemptions could cause headaches.
GamingOnLinux covered the exemptions that have made it in for the bills in Colorado and California, and now the dust is settling I’ve had a bit of time to look at the details more closely and think on it a bit more. And so, I’m left with even more concerns than before.
This isn’t just a case of Linux and open source being special or somehow better, and not even getting into the debate of the “privacy for thee but not for me” angle due to more data collection – but a major concern on the actual implementation of all of it.
On Linux machines we already have DRM (Digital rights management) headaches from streaming platforms that limit things like resolution (or some just don’t work at all), due to a lower level of Widevine support. And then there’s also all the anti-cheat issues with games completely blocking Linux too. Now, we’re moving into the land of age-checking on devices and operating systems which could potentially bring its own set of hurdles to overcome.
When all these laws get stamped and approved, what happens when you run an operating system (let’s say Fedora or Ubuntu) and some web service or application is forced to do age checking and verification (or they face massive fines). Unless Linux distributions / desktop environments do end up implementing something that correctly adheres to these laws, what do you think will happen? Those services / apps could very likely just entirely block Linux in certain regions – or even all regions if it’s Linux to prevent any issues for them.
That only adds to the list of issues that Desktop Linux faces when it comes to user adoption. And given how overall fragmented the Linux desktop is, we’re in for quite a messy time. One distribution might work, another might not – that’s just even more confusing for people picking between Linux distributions and…
