Linux age verification exemption
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一句话看懂
California lawmakers unanimously passed AB 1856, exempting Linux from age-verification law.
The exemption spares open-source OSes from compliance, but SteamOS remains uncertain.
背景
California's Digital Age Assurance Act (DAAA) would require operating systems to verify users' ages and send age signals. Linux developers and the Electronic Frontier Foundation criticized the law, arguing it would burden open-source projects. In response, Assemblymember Buffy Wicks introduced an amendment exempting software distributed under open-source licenses like GPL, MIT, BSD, and Apache. The amendment passed unanimously and now awaits the governor's signature.
来龙去脉
- Feb 2026Assemblymember Buffy Wicks introduced the exemption following criticism from Linux developers and the EFF.
- May 2026California lawmakers amended AB 1856 to carve out open-source operating systems.
- Aug 29, 2026AB 1856 passed both chambers of the California Legislature with the exemption intact, voting 39-0.
- Sep 1, 2026News reports confirm the exemption, noting uncertainty over whether SteamOS qualifies.
各方怎么说
- Support
- Linux advocates and the EFF support the exemption, saying it avoids chilling open-source development.
- Caution
- Observers caution that SteamOS, despite being Linux-based, may not be exempt due to proprietary components.
待核实
Whether SteamOS qualifies for the exemption is unclear, as it includes proprietary elements.