Stephen Wiley <[email protected]> writes: > Since open source OSes don't really distinguish between users and > developers: thinking your age to yourself effectively verifies your age > with the OS developers.
I try not to think about my age. And even when I do, I'm usually wrong. > > The whole thing seems like a no-op to me. > > --Stephen > > On Wed, Mar 04, 2026 at 05:42:26PM -0500, Gabe Bauer wrote: >> Hello! >> >> I assume that somebody has likely already informed Theo about the new >> operating system level age verification law that takes effect in California >> starting January 1st of next year? >> >> There are also similar efforts making their way through Colorado and New >> York at the moment. >> >> Most pressingly, a bill with hefty fines for non compliance (about 9.6 >> million USD), which is enough to completely sink the OpenBSD Foundation and >> project, and it takes effect starting thirteen days from now. >> >> Are there any proposed solutions to this? >> >> I believe the Brazilian law is more stringent on what is required to comply >> with the measure, including, correct me if I am wrong, actual government ID >> submission, which is likely not feasible for a default OpenBSD >> installation. >> >> Does the OpenBSD project plan to implement the necessary measures to comply >> with these laws, or will they take the route of MidnightBSD, by simply >> stipulating in the license that people in these areas are not allowed to >> use the software? >> >> This is VERY important to me as I am sure it is to you, too, as I am sure >> all of us would like to see projects like this one to continue to exist. >> >> I am fairly certain that the California law likely violates the US >> constitution, but may go unchallenged. >> >> I am less certain about the constitutionality of the Brazilian law within >> its own borders. >> >> I hope this project does not suffer an unkind fate. Thank you for your >> attention to this matter!!

