TECH NEWS

California may let Linux bypass age check

Exemption in amendment offers relief to open source software makers

The kids are alright. Open source operating systems like Linux and FreeBSD may soon be exempt from California’s app and OS age verification requirements.

Last October, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Digital Age Assurance Act (AB 1043) into law, which establishes age verification obligations for operating system providers, covered app stores, and application developers.

Those distributing operating systems must provide "an accessible interface at account setup" for the user to indicate birth date, age, or both.

The act, authored by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) and Senator Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana), aims to protect children from online risks such as cyberbullying, sextortion, and mental health harms. It takes effect January 1, 2027.

After AB 1043 was signed, Wicks in February introduced AB 1856 as an amendment to the law. Several changes have been made to the bill since then, the...

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Someone made a smart Sonos touchscreen music controller for just $20 / £16 — and it makes me miss the days…

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Anthropic Urges Industry Coordination to Allow for a ‘Pause’ in AI Development if Risks Grow

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WWDC 2026: Live Updates From Apple Park On Siri, iOS 27, Apple Intelligence And More

We're covering the news live from the company's "All systems glow" event. It's WWDC day, and this year, it's falling on a Monday. If you're not quite used to your work week kicking off so hot, maybe Apple&

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Finally, I Found an Affordable Laptop With Almost No Major Flaws

Someone made a smart Sonos touchscreen music controller for just $20 / &pound;16 &mdash; and it makes me miss the days…

Anthropic Urges Industry Coordination to Allow for a ‘Pause’ in AI Development if Risks Grow

WWDC 2026: Live Updates From Apple Park On Siri, iOS 27, Apple Intelligence And More

Someone made a smart Sonos touchscreen music controller for just $20 / £16 — and it makes me miss the days…