this post was submitted on 18 Mar 2026
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That point, I disagree on, because systemd (not) implementing this doesn't actually make it easier (or harder). Distros that want to comply would just write a file for it somewhere instead. Distros that don't comply will just not implement any verification process.
What systemd does here is offer a solution to secure it centrally (see the commit discussion about the most efficient and reasonable way to wipe that info from memory again). Considering the whole issue, I think its impact on feasibility of verification is minor, while the advantages of standardisation make it preferable to a wild growth of uncontrolled alternatives.
Another user pointed out the concept of anticipatory obedience to me, and in that context, corporations pre-emptively bowing to authoritarian surveillance is definitely a cowardly move. We agree on that.
Here's to hoping this entire discussion becomes just as pointless as you expect the PR to become. If that's what I end up being wrong about, I'll gladly take the L for cynicism and the W for privacy.
It doesn't as long as other init systems exist and people can luckily choose, hopefully that will always be the case.
Agree on that, I think that's the hope for everyone here.
Of course, which is why I said it was "somewhat" central earlier in the thread: it's not universal, even if systemd is widely used.
Other init systems generally also have ways to store data (not specifically dates, just in general), and some overarching standard for securely accessing them would be useful for intercompatibility, but that's a mess as it stands anyway.
Also agreed. Just because I personally come down on the systemd side of the debate doesn't mean everyone should have to use it. Standards are nice, but there always should be alternatives, in case a standard gets captured by twats (which kinda is the debate we're having: whether systemd has started bowing to fascists significantly enough to warrant migrating away).