this post was submitted on 19 Mar 2026
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What is really likely to happen to you if you use an OS that doesn't comply with age verification laws. (lemmy.today)
submitted 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) by 1dalm@lemmy.today to c/linux@lemmy.ml
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Okay you are ready to take a stand for freedom!

You are going to use an OS that isn't going to bend the knee and comply with age verification laws. I solute you, comrade!

Here are the likely consequences of your choice:

The Feds aren't coming after you. You aren't going to be out on a watch list.

What will likely happen is that if you try to log into your Facebook account you will get a message that says "Your Operating System is not currently supported. Your user experience will be limited to Groups labeled "Everyone"."

That's basically it. Your personal user experience will be limited to "kid friendly" areas of the Internet. (Same with apps and games.)

That's the real driver of these laws. Facebook and other app producers know that the days where they can just shrug off child predators using their products is coming to and end. Regardless of your opinion on age verification is as a solution, child predators are a real world problem and it's not just the parents fault. The platforms have some responsibility too.

Which is exactly what Facebook and the others specifically don't want -responsibility for their own platforms. That's why they are pushing for these laws that off load their responsibility onto the OS makers. Then they can just say "Oh, we don't have any responsibility for this child being abused in our platform. We asked the OS what the user's age was and the OS reported 18+. What else could we have done?"

So, that's the consequence of you choose to use an OS that refuses to comply. You'll just be relegated to the kid friendly version of website, games, and applications.

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[–] 1dalm@lemmy.today -1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

These companies that show clear negligence need to be seized by the state and stripped for parts.

Yes! That's what you should be upset about. These companies are pushing these laws to get out of being held accountable for their products. Be upset about THAT and I'm on your side!

(But that would also mean that small developers and Fediverse hosts would also have to be held accountable for their service.)

[–] Unusable3151@lemmy.ml 1 points 2 days ago

I'm upset at both ID gate laws and the lack of strong anti-trust action. I'm also not going to assume a person only talking about one at a given time isn't also upset at the other. Discussions about what people "should" talk about are for leaders in organized movements to have with each other to create the most effective response. Doing so in a public setting like this isn't high-minded or insightful, it's a waste of breath. If you care about strategies and tactics, you can join an organized movement, move up in the organization, and have a real say.