Technology

California introduces age verification law for all operating systems, including Linux and SteamOS — user age verified during OS account setup

Source

Tom's Hardware

Published

Mar 1, 2026

TL;DR

AI Generated

California's Digital Age Assurance Act (AB 1043) mandates all operating system providers in California to collect user age information during account setup and transmit it to app developers via a real-time API starting January 1, 2027. This law encompasses not only major OS providers like Windows and macOS but also Linux distributions and Valve's SteamOS. Developers receiving age signals are held accountable for ensuring age-appropriate content, with penalties for non-compliance. While the law does not mandate stringent verification methods like photo ID uploads, it requires users to self-report their age. Enforcement on Linux distributions could be challenging due to decentralized account structures and limited resources for compliance.

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