One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: CA's AB 1856 Exempts Open Source Operating Systems, But Expands Age-Gating
Posted by EFForg@reddit | linux | View on Reddit | 13 comments
California lawmakers are moving closer to exempting open-source operating systems from the sweeping age-bracketing regime mandated by last year’s Digital Age Assurance Act (AB 1043). The bill still jeopardizes internet users’ speech, privacy, and security.
DoubleOwl7777@reddit
yeah pretty sure thats not legal elsewhere...
leonredhorse@reddit
Step 1: Say age restrictions are needed to protect kids from sensitive content.
Step 2: Exponentially increase what is considered “sensitive” to cover a wide array of topics.
Step 2b: Remove ability to be anonymous so that they can crack down on dissenting opinions.
Alatain@reddit
I do not think this (in California) is really for tracking "dissenting opinions" as much as it is for two parallel effects.
First, this is being fueled by platforms like Facebook and other places where "sensitive content" is posted. This kind of bill moves the responsibility for this content away from the platform, and onto the device or operating system to let these platforms avoid responsibility.
Second, it allows these platforms, which are primarily funded through selling ads or personal information to collect more data to positively identify users. This isn't so much to track dissenting views (though it can enable that) as much as it is to get access to more and better quality data.
It's still terrible, but I do not think the motivation here is squashing political dissent. Or more correctly, it is not mostly about that motive.
detroitmatt@reddit
... yet. you can do anything you want if you wrap it up in enough think of the children moral panic. only a matter of time before we need to protect children from online "radicalization" too.
BeigeUnicorns@reddit
Exactly! This is what people always miss about politics. Just because the current goverment might act or not act a particular way doesn't NOT guarantee the next goverment will do the same.
Titdirt69420@reddit
Because California is the bastion of our Bill of Rights
move_machine@reddit
You have to sign in and verify your age using the X app with your face in order to see "sensitive content" on X/Twitter.
When ICE protests started in Minneapolis, they were considered "sensitive content". The day Renee Goode was murdered, that was considered "sensitive content", as was video and coverage of Alex Pretti's murder.
When the attacks on Iran started, videos of it was considered "sensitive content".
I know this because I refuse to verify my age or install the X app, but as these events were transpiring, they were being posted to X before formal news agencies covered them.
Titdirt69420@reddit
There is no good reasoning for this and it's certainly not for the children. It's ALL about totalitarianism and control over our lives. That's what the US government has been marching towards for the last 80 years.
fascistno1hater@reddit
Politicians and political consultants everywhere: Guys and Gals, the people are clamoring for us to do something about greed inflation, the prices of housing, and the price of groceries. But fuck all of that I got it let's do age-gating to protect the children! Even though we are working with Epstein class and pedophiles all over the world.
move_machine@reddit
Sorry, the best we can do is identifying anyone who complains about greed, inflation, cost of living, taxing the rich and the price of groceries and then weaponizing the state against them.
See also: DOJ subpoenas Reddit in effort to unmask Trump critics
move_machine@reddit
Cool, now there's only 25+ more states to go lol
Just because CA changes things for Linux doesn't mean other states are or will, and OS providers will still have to implement this anyway.
TU4AR@reddit
I have no idea why anyone thinks this was or is a good idea.
Even if they excluded Linux and 99% of the bill it would still be a shitty idea. Fr.
BoutTreeFittee@reddit
So then, this is even worse now than it was. It's a huge expansion: