this post was submitted on 25 Mar 2026
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I maintain that optional self reporting of age is not a privacy violation. Would you clarify: what specific privacy concerns does the merged systemd PR create? Be specific about the material consequences it has on the privacy of users.
How is having a centralized store of all your demographic information where any app can query it on your OS a privacy concern? Are you serious? Maybe people don't want to send their personal information to every single god damn thing that asks for it?
Example:
The Datastealingassholes app wants your data
Without this: You are prompted to enter your DOB in a field, decide fuck no, and that's that.
With this: They query the data store on your OS and they have whatever they want without input from you. Maybe the app is run by a bad actor trying to spy on you. They already have your DOB. It just confirmed for them that YOU are the person operating this PC.
Your example relies on some assumptions:
None of these assumptions are garunteed by the merged code into systemd. The following are optional, and not required as a result of the code merged into systemd:
It’s possible to put your full first and last name into your user, so by your logic the first and last name fields of the user profile should not exist.
Did that help identify the absurdity of your argument?
It doesn't guarantee anything, but does open the door for it. Now that this functionality exists, apps are going to start using it and requiring it. It's now something we all have to worry about and compensate for going forward.
If you're not putting accurate information in there why have it at all? Why argue in favor of it? There is literally no benefit to having this shit other than to comply with a bullshit law that they could get around by simply blocking California users from downloading their OS (this wouldn't actually work because peer to peer exists, but it would eliminate the OS developers responsibility in the situation).
Agreed