Linux

13874 readers

225 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

225

Debian Project Leader Addresses New Age Verification Laws (linuxiac.com)

submitted 2 months ago by cm0002@lemy.lol to c/linux@programming.dev

105 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

[–] mech@feddit.org 54 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Software in the Public Interest is a US- based non-profit organization that legally represents and handles donations for Debian, Arch, LibreOffice, systemd and a lot of other projects. And if they're in violation of US law, they can unfortunately be sued into oblivion. So they're right to check with their legal team before making an informed decision.

[–] quick_snail@feddit.nl 6 points 2 months ago

And fortunately they can just change their fiscal host. That's one thing the lawyers will tell them, if needed

[–] ThomasWilliams@lemmy.world -2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Not providing an age signal is not illegal, you just won't be able to access restricted material like social media.

[–] mech@feddit.org 4 points 2 months ago

Are you a lawyer?