this post was submitted on 27 Feb 2026
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Nah it seems it doesn't apply to physical devices (except general computing devices as mentioned elsewhere)
(3) seems to imply the OS that runs your switch or gas pump isn't included. But I see nothing in the law that clarifies servers or any CLI only interface, or even any OS that doesn't have accounts.
Where do you quote "reasonable" from? The only part of the law with that word is referring to a different, already existing law (or the bit about reasonable technical limitations causing the wrong signals sent in the API).
You're right that mostly the reasonable thing was related to previous law.
Is a mobile phone not a "physical device"? An operating system always has to run on physical hardware, so does this just invalidate the entire thing?
Nah I don't think it does. You don't really get that because the intent of a law is important in court cases.
Mobile phones are specifically covered:
I'm just not sure. It seems contradictory to me, since the manufacturer of a physical device is also "a person or entity that controls the operating system". Unless they sell the hardware with no OS installed? This exemption doesn't seem to mean anything.
With how they've defined "App Store", basically any product that can download applications is affected by this, including devices that don't even have the concept of a user account. I'm a little unclear still on what's required of an entirely offline OS.
I am not sure what's required of a bare bones Linux install (general computing device) that has access to a package manager (application store)!