Remember all the ruckus with various US states introducing operating-system level age verification laws? Colorado and California thankfully exempt open source.
For Colorado, we heard from System76 CEO Carl Richell back in April, that a fight was going on to at least get open source excluded from it - but back then we didn't have the final bill details. We do now have the "Final Act" version (source) of the Colorado bill, which on Page 9 notes under who it doesn't apply to:
AN OPERATING SYSTEM PROVIDER OR DEVELOPER THAT DISTRIBUTES AN OPERATING SYSTEM OR APPLICATION UNDER LICENSE TERMS THAT PERMIT A RECIPIENT TO COPY, REDISTRIBUTE, AND MODIFY THE SOFTWARE WITHOUT ANY PLATFORM-IMPOSED TECHNICAL OR CONTRACTUAL RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY THE PROVIDER OR DEVELOPER ON INSTALLING ALL MODIFIED VERSIONS.
The Colorado bill should go into effect July 1, 2028.
As for the California bill, the official page notes a few revisions to it since last covering it here on GamingOnLinux. This bill is now onto its third hearing, so it's not quite a done deal yet for California but it is also promising. The good news for Linux and open source, is that it has a similar exemptions listed for operating systems and application developers:
"Application" does not include software components that are not themselves offered to consumers as a stand-alone executable application through a covered application store.
"Operating system provider" does not mean a person or entity that distributes an operating system or application under license terms that permit a recipient to copy, redistribute, and modify the software.
If it gets final approval, it should go into effect January 1, 2027.
Considering SteamOS includes Valve's proprietary bits for the Steam client, this likely still applies to Valve and any hardware shipping with SteamOS including the Steam Deck, Steam Frame, Steam Machine and the Legion Go S. This will also apply to Windows and any other proprietary system. But regular Linux distributions should by that wording be exempt from needing to age-check.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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PlayingOnLinuxphone 8 hours ago
Quoting: pbWindows open sourcing in 3...2...1... ;-)I think it is more realistic for Valve, because what is the key for them to keep their Linux partly proprietary if there could be a backlash for age checks? ... While on the other hand, Steam probably has the age of most of its users anyway.
Kimyrielle 7 hours ago
Quoting: PlayingOnLinuxphoneWhile on the other hand, Steam probably has the age of most of its users anyway.According to what I told Steam, I am 99 years old. 😂
Quoting: KimyrielleFun fact, 95% of steam users were born on January 1st.Quoting: PlayingOnLinuxphoneWhile on the other hand, Steam probably has the age of most of its users anyway.According to what I told Steam, I am 99 years old. 😂
PlayingOnLinuxphone 7 hours ago
Quoting: vic-bayFun fact, 95% of steam users were born on January 1st.And 4% on top randomize months and day as well to not look like an invalid date. ;P
Last edited by PlayingOnLinuxphone on 25 May 2026 at 3:26 pm UTC
Quoting: vic-bayFun fact, 95% of steam users were born on January 1st.… 1970. If asked for something “more accurate”, at midnight UTC.
Anyway. systemd…
Mountain Man 6 hours ago
Last edited by Mountain Man on 25 May 2026 at 4:13 pm UTC
wit_as_a_riddle 6 hours ago
Code is expressive conduct under Bernstein v. DOJ and Junger v. Daley.
Compelled creation of expressive content is still compelled speech (Wooley, Hurley, Janus).
Age verification mandates require developers to author, maintain, and deploy expressive logic they would not otherwise create.
The state cannot force a private actor to speak, design, or encode a message or system that expresses the state’s preferred policy.
Johnologue 4 hours ago
Slightly good for us (who were probably going to fight/break it at every opportunity anyways), but more good for age verification.
PlayingOnLinuxphone 4 hours ago
Quoting: tohurThere is STILL the Federal bill H.R. 8250 so this is no win just yet folksAt least the US folks have a foot inside the door. Let's label this as first good news on a stable of ****.
Quoting: notmrflibbleWhat do you mean by "systemd..." ?Quoting: vic-bayFun fact, 95% of steam users were born on January 1st.… 1970. If asked for something “more accurate”, at midnight UTC.
Anyway. systemd…
wintermute 22 minutes ago
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