BTW System76, the company behind their Linux laptops and the Linux desktop COSMIC, was fighting hard against the law to make exemptions for Open Source software. That’s important for them, because System76 operates in California. So I think they are big part to thank for here: Colorado and California Exempt Open Source from Age Attestation (May 2026)
System76 also planned to implement age verification should the law pass. They did not claim that they’ll relocate or re-register their company legally, or request their users upon installation to not use the OS in California/Colorado, or anything like that actually.
I think that’s noteworthy. I personally consider it half a fight. Like, you create noise, but if boss says it’s OK, you say “OK, you’re the boss after all”.
Also makes System76’s standing a little bit weaker in my eyes. Still *obviously* among the good forces, but they nevertheless gave in to the pressure around and were ready to comply.
… *slightly offtopic* I hate what the US / Donald Trump / Money power is doing with people and companies…
I mean they live and work there, and all business and contracts are done there. This is not an individual who can react and just go to a different country to live on, its affecting everyone in the company and all partners. Off course they have to comply if the law goes through. I personally don’t blame them that they are prepaired for such a case, and do not downplay their work and fight because of that.
Of course it’s affecting everything. I’m not claiming that they’re evil. But either them or their positioning, seems to be somewhat weak when given pressure. They’re not standing on solid ground so to speak.
Yeah, that was misunderstood. I said or meant “they was fighting against the law, so they can make an exemption”. To make it clear, the linked article from System76 goes into more detail. I just wanted bring attention to this, because the original linked article on tomshardware does not mention them.
BTW System76, the company behind their Linux laptops and the Linux desktop COSMIC, was fighting hard against the law to make exemptions for Open Source software. That’s important for them, because System76 operates in California. So I think they are big part to thank for here: Colorado and California Exempt Open Source from Age Attestation (May 2026)
According to this website https://github.com/BryanLunduke/DoesItAgeVerify
System76 also planned to implement age verification should the law pass. They did not claim that they’ll relocate or re-register their company legally, or request their users upon installation to not use the OS in California/Colorado, or anything like that actually.
I think that’s noteworthy. I personally consider it half a fight. Like, you create noise, but if boss says it’s OK, you say “OK, you’re the boss after all”.
Also makes System76’s standing a little bit weaker in my eyes. Still *obviously* among the good forces, but they nevertheless gave in to the pressure around and were ready to comply.
… *slightly offtopic* I hate what the US / Donald Trump / Money power is doing with people and companies…
I mean they live and work there, and all business and contracts are done there. This is not an individual who can react and just go to a different country to live on, its affecting everyone in the company and all partners. Off course they have to comply if the law goes through. I personally don’t blame them that they are prepaired for such a case, and do not downplay their work and fight because of that.
Of course it’s affecting everything. I’m not claiming that they’re evil. But either them or their positioning, seems to be somewhat weak when given pressure. They’re not standing on solid ground so to speak.
The way you currently say it, they tried to stop the exemption. They fought for the law, so OS gets an exemption.
Or do I understand you wrong?
Yeah, that was misunderstood. I said or meant “they was fighting against the law, so they can make an exemption”. To make it clear, the linked article from System76 goes into more detail. I just wanted bring attention to this, because the original linked article on tomshardware does not mention them.