this post was submitted on 27 Feb 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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An upcoming California law requires operating system providers to enforce basic mandatory age verification (www.pcgamer.com)
submitted 3 days ago by ArmchairAce1944@lemmy.ca to c/linux@lemmy.ml
204 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Apparently this will include Linux...

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[–] fizzle@quokk.au 46 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I can't wait for my microwave to ask me to take off my glasses, face the camera, and turn my head slowly from left to right.

[–] Archr@lemmy.world 16 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (2 children)

You are right that operating system is not defined. But the definition of operating system provider is this: "(g) “Operating system provider” means a person or entity that develops, licenses, or controls the operating system software on a computer, mobile device, or any other general purpose computing device." (emphasis mine)

Which should clearly exclude embedded devices.

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1043

[–] wer2@lemmy.zip 8 points 2 days ago (2 children)

But embedded computing devices these days are regularly general computing devices, and have been for a long time. If my insert appliance x with an ARM processor isn't a general computing device, then why is my raspberry pi?

[–] degen@midwest.social 2 points 1 day ago

Need a face scan to use my fridge

[–] Archr@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

That is not something I had considered, I fully agree.

So many devices are built around SBCs running linux. I guess my first thought was that it is more about how the device is used and not what that actual OS is. But then how would the OS even be able to tell the difference.

This is a distinction that they should have spelled out explicitly in the law.

[–] wer2@lemmy.zip 0 points 1 day ago (1 children)

They basically defined curl as an app store: "facilitates the download of applications"

[–] Archr@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

I mean sure, if you ignore the 2 words just before what you quoted.

"distributes and facilitates the download of applications from third-party developers".

I don't know that I would consider curl as "distributing" software. But as always it depends on how the court interprets it.

Full section for context:

(e) (1) “Covered application store” means a publicly available internet website, software application, online service, or platform that distributes and facilitates the download of applications from third-party developers to users of a computer, a mobile device, or any other general purpose computing that can access a covered application store or can download an application.

(2) “Covered application store” does not mean an online service or platform that distributes extensions, plug-ins, add-ons, or other software applications that run exclusively within a separate host application.

[–] aBundleOfFerrets@sh.itjust.works 11 points 2 days ago

good lord, not even the solar powered four-function calculators are safe!