288
Debian Project Leader Addresses New Age Verification Laws (linuxiac.com)
submitted 1 month ago by cm0002@lemy.lol to c/linux@programming.dev
88 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Debian Project Leader Andreas Tille has addressed the ongoing debate over age-verification laws and their potential impact on free software operating systems. Long story short: he clarified that Debian has not adopted a position and is awaiting legal analysis.

In his latest “Bits from the DPL” message, Tille stated that the main question is whether operating systems and package distribution mechanisms might be required to provide age-related information to applications.

He noted that Debian and other projects are discussing the issue, and that Software in the Public Interest, a non-profit corporation founded to act as a fiscal sponsor for organizations that develop open-source software and hardware, has begun seeking legal guidance.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] panda_abyss@lemmy.ca 42 points 1 month ago

I’m against these laws, strongly, but I think sending vitriol at systemd and distrust is not constructive.

The battle is legal and pretending it isn’t and fighting our maintainers who realistically can’t afford to be sued over good, is not helping the cause.

It’s humans at the end of the pipe. Thoughtful and vulnerable humans.

[-] Senal@programming.dev 14 points 1 month ago

I'd say it's less a legal fight than it is a fight for control , using the law this time.

Pretending that what people are upset about is the field rather than the pre-capitulation is not helping the cause.

Most of the hate isn't for the technical implementation of a field, though some FOSS people are upset at that as well.

You can sidestep the legal fight by not serving the places where it is illegal.

That's doesn't necessarily align with the goals of whatever project, but it is possible.

[-] ATS1312@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 1 month ago

There is one small benefit to this speedbump on our road to freedom:

Governor Gavin Newsom, Democrat of California? Has been acting like he wants to run for President in 2028. He signed this into law for his state.

Make this an albatross on his neck. Sink him. Let him know that this crushed his dreams of ever being President. Publicly. Loudly. Don't be satisfied until he quits twitter and retires from public life altogether, not just politics.

And for anyone in New Jersey? Get loud at your state reps phonelines now, they're trying to pass the same in your state.

[-] panda_abyss@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 month ago

I don’t know how anyone can pretend to care about gay, trans, or black people and support this law.

It’s going to be used to ban “critical race theory” and lgbtq topics first.

I don’t see how the Dems can defend this

[-] TehPers@beehaw.org 1 points 1 month ago

Well, Newsom doesn't even pretend to care about trans people, so we can start there.

[-] Aatube@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 month ago

It’s going to be used to ban “critical race theory” and lgbtq topics first.

How would the CA law allow that? It’s not KOSPA but a dropdown selection.

[-] quips@slrpnk.net 2 points 1 month ago

Hating Dylan Taylor is not however

[-] ATS1312@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 month ago

Hating a Dev? Broke.

Hating Governor Newsom? That's on the money.

this post was submitted on 04 Apr 2026
288 points (100.0% liked)

Linux

13816 readers
395 users here now

A community for everything relating to the GNU/Linux operating system (except the memes!)

Also, check out:

Original icon base courtesy of lewing@isc.tamu.edu and The GIMP

founded 3 years ago
MODERATORS
Ategon@programming.dev
anzo@programming.dev
dwraf_of_ignorance@programming.dev