Re: What will NetBSD do about the age verification law?

[x85729201kza <x85729201kza%outlook.com@localhost>]

On 17/03/2026 11:30 pm, Julian H. Stacey wrote:
[...snip...]

> Probably Linux, Android, Google & Samsung will be first, forced to
> pay developers so vendors can sell mobiles with apps to kids. Later
> maybe tabular formatted data can be imported, & may guide design
> of mechanisms to use it on BSD.
>
> Politicians in ~170 countries around the globe, have for decades
> have passed clueless incompatible stupid laws
>    (inc. examples: Encryption (USA crypt.c munitions; France & others
>    etc), age verification [EU?], IP net security scanning (Germany,
>    [self test]) etc.)
> Changes/additions will be an ever moving target, wasting time if unpaid.
>
> Rather than encumber *BSD, perhaps add or amend BSD licences, approx.:
>   "Use of the software is only permitted after user accepts sole liability"
> which could also address other periodic legal annoyances.

I am not certain how the underlying operating system is responsible for the applications that run upon it, via web servers or apps using the hardware to store personal data?

For example, in Aus, we have now the age restriction of under 16 years of age are not permitted on "[anti-]social media". Therefore, for example, Facebook was forced to create verification for ages of people (I think, I'm not on facebook et al) and booted those with ages on their system indicating they were under 16.

This is the not even the responsibility of the layer(s) above or equal to the operating system, surely? Otherwise, facebook would have to get their OS (is it Linux?), Apache or whatever, and all the ancillary objects used to deliver content, to certify?

Where does it end?


Likewise, adult sites accessible via the web or apps must now verify the age of Australians prior to allowing them to view smut.
This is the responsibility of the owners of the web site, not the Apache server running it. Those utilising the software to deliver their pornography are responsible, not the OS, nor the actual applications running to deliver the content or even the hardware.


Am I missing the point here?

Regards,
Max.