this post was submitted on 22 Mar 2026
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Hate to say it but systemd, the init system of most Linux distros, already has PRs with maintainer backing to implement DoB recording.
Some people can't kneel fast enough.
Localized age checks ARE a good system and are something that should have been in the OS for decades. It is the basis for being able to make "child accounts" and is a genuine requirement for Linux to be a meaningful option for "normal people". And having a protocol for software/websites to request that is a very good system to build on that.
We talk about how the problem of kids getting exposed to horrendous shit is a problem of "bad parenting". This is the tool you provide to allow parents some control.
The issue is not the age check. The issue is verification. To my understanding, the California legislature explicitly does NOT require a third party. So it is literally just you saying "Sure, whatever. I was born in 1901. Now load the Maya Woulfe video faster". And yes, this is a step towards that. But so is having network access or user accounts at all.
Even if we say I agree with this, why even ask for a specific year? Separate into child and adult, and let the super user make that change when asked.
In theory I’m not opposed to it existing as an option, but I do not like it being mandatory at all. Websites and applications should never be allowed to know any PII without explicit consent.
I completely agree with this. treat it like a privilege level. it's that simple. it doesn't need to define "age", it can just define what a account cannot access.
this is all a slippery slope, and a terrible one at that. gates protect no one and just tech people to learn to get around them...