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

submitted 1 month ago by cm0002@lemy.lol to c/linux@programming.dev

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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.

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[–] mech@feddit.org 66 points 1 month 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 7 points 1 month ago

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

[–] ThomasWilliams@lemmy.world -5 points 1 month 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 1 month ago

Are you a lawyer?