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PC Gamer
PC Gamer
Andy Edser

A new California law says all operating systems, including Linux, need to have some form of age verification at account setup

MANNING, SOUTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 23: California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks to a crowd during an event hosted by the South Carolina Democratic Party at the Carter-Sullivan American Legion on February 23, 2026 in Manning, South Carolina. The Governor had scheduled appearances in Pineville, Manning and Rock Hill, South Carolina on Monday. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images).

The government of California is implementing a law that requires operating system providers to implement some form of age verification into their account setup procedures.

Assembly Bill No. 1043 was approved by California governor Gavin Newsom in October of last year, and becomes active on January 1, 2027 (via The Lunduke Journal). The bill states, among other factors, that "An operating system provider shall do all of the following:"

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