Government Mandates Age Verification Laws for Operating Systems - lookout Windows, macOS, Linux and Android

It is my understanding that many states and the Federal government are rolling out bills to mandate age-verification on operating systems. Are these politicians out of their

minds?! At the very least, they are out-of-touch with the technical realities.

As I have seen in many reports, the age-verification requests would be implemented supposedly to protect children. At the operating-system level, Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS would inform platforms whether a user is old enough to gain access, and thereby potentially protecting kids from harmful content. Sounds like a winner...right? WRONG!!!

All of the versions for age-verification laws depend on the owner of the computer being honest about their age. Also, kids who use computers registered to adults will easily pass any restrictions.

As for the process of age-verification, a computer owner would be required to submit identification to a third-party (Facebook?), where the data would be securely stored ( 😂 😂 😂  ). Users need not worry about their personal data ever being hacked ( 🤣 🤣 🤣 ).

I understand how ecosystems controlled by Microsoft and Apple could be easily manipulated into going along with an age-verification scheme, since they could benefit from collecting more personal data. But, what happens when you introduce Linux into the mix???

Linux distributions number in the hundreds. There are a gazillion flavors for each taste. Likewise, there are a gazillion contributors that are conflicted about age-verification mandates because of ethical and technical reasons. Some have resorted to disallowing their usage in states that do have mandates. Of course, if the Federal government gets their bills approved, Linux distributors would have to stop distribution within the whole United States.

Without a question, I firmly believe that the politicians that are shoving age-verification mandates are doing something evil. They are asking ALL OF US to relinquish more control of our personal data supposedly to save kids. If they REALLY want to prevent kids from falling into harm, these politicians should spend their campaign money to teach parents on better parenting skills, and not be so neglectful.