cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/62271427
For those interested, the Systemd release that’s planned to include the controversial ‘birthDate’ field to user records, complying with age-verification laws, is v261 (see ‘milestone’ in the pull request). This release seems to be planned for May.
The current release, from some hours ago, is v260.1. I see that Ubuntu Noble (24.04) just updated to v255.
You may be missing the point.
To most people participating in soceity for the last 10yrs is obvious that this is just a step. Think of the boiling frog metaphore. There is BIG money in rent seeking through enshittification.
Fortunately open source software is not controllable to the same degree by legistlation as proprietary shit (ms, apple). So, while specific countries or states could create such laws, open source software in general is unlikely to comply. The reason is simple: everyone has access to the source code, so anyone can rip out any offending piece of code. Which is happening with systemd right now.
Btw, if I’m not mistaken the systemd PR implementing the birthdate change is closed wihout the code being merged. For now.
The PR attempting to revert the fascism-compliance change was the one that was closed without being merged.
It says merged in the GitHub link in the post.
To be clear the code went into the repo
You’re saying - if I get you right - that if we let systemd add birthdate field today, tomorrow or after tomorrow we won’t revolt if we have to upload an ID to install an OS.
I respectfully disagree. I have a clear red line which is “don’t force me to do stuff”.
You want to add an optional field? I couldn’t care less.
You want me to input my valid birthdate or I can’t use your system. That’s when I revolt.
By then you revolting will be already too late.
Once again, study the frog.
The funny part is that you think you will be able to revolt by then.
How are you going to organize and make that revolt substantial, with changes that come from it without the ability to freely communicate with the others around you?
Sure folks in your immediate community. You know like 90% of the immediate community that doesn’t give a shit about privacy rights uses google Facebook apple and the like for 100% of their data, photos messages search history and more.
Those people aren’t going to help bring about change. But the like minded people you run into on things for instance like Lemmy, can.
You can’t effectively do any of that when they are monitoring it all and know who you are.
“This guy is a terrorist” they will say. Literally, just happened for people using Signal in a us court of law.
The time for revolt is before you lose the rights and ability to do so not after its all burned to the ground.
But you’re right you could revolt by not using electronics anymore. I mean shit, I get it. But that’s not something I am comfortable with, I want to take back control NOW.
Like we all should.