We've already covered how California has a new operating system age-checking law coming into force next year - but many more US states also have plans.

In a blog post Richell notes that the New York version as far worse since it “explicitly forbids self-reporting and leaves the allowed methods to regulations written by the Attorney General” and so developers of operating systems and devices would have to have more than just your date of birth to put you into some age bracket like the California law seems to allow.

These types of laws seem to be popping up around the US. How long until this plague spreads to other countries?

  • _skj@lemmy.worldEnglish
    11·
    21 hours ago

    I don’t understand how anyone thinks any part of this is going to work out.

    • The vast majority of machines online are fully automated, how do you validate the age of an automated account? If automated accounts are allowed without verification, how can you possibly tell the difference between them and an actual person?
    • How do you handle old and foreign software? Are they going to start prosecuting individual people for running non-compliant software? Can’t afford to update your old phone? Well now you’re a criminal.
    • Validating age requires private information to identify who you are. They have completely put the security of this information on each individual OS. Expect this info to be leaked.

    This will never keep someone from viewing something if they really want to. All it will do is open up individuals to prosecution if they want to use any device anonymously.

    • PlasticExistence@lemmy.worldEnglish
      5·
      18 hours ago

      I don’t understand how anyone thinks any part of this is going to work out.

      Unfortunately, you do, but because you don’t have an authority fetish (guessing), you’re thinking about the law and how the hell it could be implemented.

      However

      All it will do is open up individuals to prosecution if they want to use any device anonymously.

      This isn’t a bug. It’s a feature.

      There are laws in the works outlawing VPNs too.