California introduces age verification law for all operating systems, including Linux and SteamOS — user age verified during OS account setup

https://www.tomshardware.com/software/operating-systems/california-introduces-age-verification-law/

Here's another article on the subject, perhaps a response to the previous link. It talks about the dangers of age verification.

https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/scientists-warn-against-crappy-age-verification-if-implemented-without-careful-consideration-the-new-regulation-might-cause-more-harm-than-good/

Thanks for those two posts @Nezbit! Very weighty and important stuff, not only wrt online safety and privacy but also in respect of privacy and security generally (IRL) and civil and human rights, especially freedom of speech/expression and ultimately, freedom and democracy. All that is already not so much under threat as under vicious attack. Even western governments are increasingly acting like wannabe autocrats.

I don't want to politicize the board, so I will only say this:

We are one very small step away from a full blow global authoritarian regime - and if you think it's not possible, all you need to do is look at what is happening in the UK with 12,183 arrests recorded in 2023 for posts on social media. That’s roughly about 33 arrests per day! The writing is on the wall for everyone to see.

And when/if that happens, all the tools needed for mass surveillance and control are already in place - because WE let that happen (as always, with the excuse of safety).

Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety - Benjamin Franklin

You've hit the nail on the head I'm afraid to say, Jorge. We are indeed only a very small step away from a fulll blown global authoritarian regime, thanks to the tech oligarchs and the ignorance and even gross stupidity of ordinary internet users who have so blindly used everything that US Big Tech threw at them and who sold their privacy and security cheaply, instead of using all means available to use privacy focused alternatives.

Mass surveillance is already effective, especially so with the widespread use of Big Tech so-called AI chat bots.

All this is precisely why I have been so passionate about online security and privacy for a long time and over the years myself have moved increasingly to Linux - Ubuntu in particular as it's UK based rather than US - and privacy focused apps such as those provided by the Swiss based Proton eco-system of apps. Windows has been relegated to minor usage with a minimised install that cripples all of its spyware/ spy functions.

Linux now accounts for about 90% of my computer use, further protected for online use with VPN, E2E encrypted email, TOR network for most of my browsing - this last almost never from within Windows actually - and more.