California exempts open-source software from age verification
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The gist
California's legislature passed AB 1856 exempting open-source operating systems from age verification. The exemption spares Linux and similar projects from the Digital Age Assurance Act's requirements.
Background
California's Digital Age Assurance Act (AB 1043), signed in October 2025, required operating system providers to collect user age at account setup and transmit age signals to app developers by January 1, 2027. This posed a problem for open-source projects like Linux distributions, which lack centralized accounts and compliance infrastructure. After criticism from Linux developers and the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Assembly member Buffy Wicks introduced AB 1856 in February 2026 to exempt open-source software. The bill passed unanimously in late August 2026 and now awaits Governor Gavin Newsom's signature.
How it unfolded
- Oct 2025California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Digital Age Assurance Act (AB 1043), requiring OS providers to verify user ages by January 1, 2027.
- Feb 11, 2026Assembly member Buffy Wicks introduced AB 1856 to exempt open-source operating systems from the age verification law.
- Jul 2026The Electronic Frontier Foundation withdrew its opposition to AB 1856.
- Aug 26, 2026The California Senate passed AB 1856 in a 39-0 vote.
- Aug 27, 2026The Assembly concurred with the Senate amendments in a 69-0 vote.
- recentlyAB 1856 awaits Governor Gavin Newsom's signature to become law.
Who’s saying what
- Support
- Assembly member Buffy Wicks and supporters argue the exemption clarifies the law and prevents impossible compliance burdens on open-source projects.
- Caution
- Some Linux distributions like Fedora are reportedly planning to implement age assurance anyway, despite the exemption.
Still unverified
The bill still requires Governor Gavin Newsom's signature; until then, it is not yet law. SteamOS's status remains ambiguous due to its mix of open-source and proprietary components.