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Open-source software, including Linux, is exempt from California's age-verification law.

TechnologyLegal IssuesAug 29, 2026score 1.152 posts · 2 replies across 2 instances
California lawmakers have passed a law exempting open-source software, including Linux, from age-verification requirements. The law, Assembly Bill 1856, was approved unanimously and is set to take effect in 2027. This development highlights the intersection of technology and legal regulation in the context of digital rights and open-source software.

Claims

Open-source software, including Linux, is exempt from California's age-verification law.
Parent: TechnologyEntity: Open-source softwareImpact: positiveDate: Aug 29, 2026 - Aug 31, 2026Target: Exemption of open-source software from age-verification requirements

Source posts

@[email protected]
And how does anyone can enforce how people use Linux? This is very difficult. Anyway, I am just glad California lawmakers unanimously pass Linux and opensource exemption from age verification law... California Passes AB-1856 For Open-Source Relief Over Age Verification https://www.phoronix.com/news/California-AB-1856-Passes
41 boosts · 57 favs · 6 replies · Aug 30, 2026
@[email protected]
California lawmakers unanimously pass Linux exemption from age-verification law — software distributed under the GPL, MIT, BSD, and Apache licenses are exempt https://www.tomshardware.com/software/linux/california-lawmakers-unanimously-pass-linux-exemption-from-age-verification-law-software-distributed-under-the-gpl-mit-bsd-and-apache-licenses-are-exempt
8 boosts · 11 favs · 1 replies · Aug 30, 2026
@[email protected]
California Bill AB-1856 passes - exempting open source from age verification https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2026/08/california-bill-ab-1856-passes-exempting-open-source-from-age-verification/ #OpenSource #Linux #California #AB1856
20 boosts · 11 favs · 1 replies · Aug 31, 2026
#opensource#linux#california#ab1856
@[email protected]
#California lawmakers unanimously pass #Linux exemption from #ageverification law — software distributed under the #GPL, #MIT, #BSD, and #Apache licenses are exempt https://www.tomshardware.com/software/linux/california-lawmakers-unanimously-pass-linux-exemption-from-age-verification-law-software-distributed-under-the-gpl-mit-bsd-and-apache-licenses-are-exempt
7 boosts · 8 favs · 1 replies · Aug 30, 2026
#california#linux#ageverification#gpl#mit#bsd
@[email protected]
California lawmakers unanimously pass Linux exemption from age-verification law https://www.tomshardware.com/software/linux/california-lawmakers-unanimously-pass-linux-exemption-from-age-verification-law-software-distributed-under-the-gpl-mit-bsd-and-apache-licenses-are-exempt Comments: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49495372 #HackerNews #California #Linux #AgeVerification #Law #Exemption #OpenSource #TechNews
9 boosts · 5 favs · 0 replies · Aug 30, 2026
#hackernews#california#linux#ageverification#law#exemption
@[email protected]
California lawmakers unanimously pass Linux exemption from age-verification law — software distributed under the GPL, MIT, BSD, and Apache licenses are exempt https://www.tomshardware.com/software/linux/california-lawmakers-unanimously-pass-linux-exemption-from-age-verification-law-software-distributed-under-the-gpl-mit-bsd-and-apache-licenses-are-exempt?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub Posted into Tom's Hardware @tom-s-hardware-TomsHardware
38 boosts · 0 favs · 0 replies · Aug 29, 2026
@[email protected]
California lawmakers unanimously pass Linux exemption from age-verification law Link: https://www.tomshardware.com/software/linux/california-lawmakers-unanimously-pass-linux-exemption-from-age-verification-law-software-distributed-under-the-gpl-mit-bsd-and-apache-licenses-are-exempt Discussion: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49495372
5 boosts · 0 favs · 0 replies · Aug 30, 2026
@[email protected]
The year of the Linux desktop California law makers except operatingsystems under certain licenses from age verification laws https://www.tomshardware.com/software/linux/california-lawmakers-unanimously-pass-linux-exemption-from-age-verification-law-software-distributed-under-the-gpl-mit-bsd-and-apache-licenses-are-exempt
6 boosts · 0 favs · 0 replies · Aug 30, 2026
@[email protected]
California lawmakers unanimously pass Linux exemption from age-verification law — software distributed under the GPL, MIT, BSD, and Apache licenses are exempt https://www.tomshardware.com/software/linux/california-lawmakers-unanimously-pass-linux-exemption-from-age-verification-law-software-distributed-under-the-gpl-mit-bsd-and-apache-licenses-are-exempt
8 boosts · 0 favs · 0 replies · Aug 29, 2026
@[email protected]
California lawmakers unanimously pass Linux exemption from age-verification law — software distributed under the GPL, MIT, BSD, and Apache licenses are exempt California’s legislature has passed Assembly Bill 1856, exempting open-source operating systems from the State’s Digital Age Assurance Act months before the law is due to take effect on January 1, 2027. #hardware https://www.tomshardware.com/software/linux/california-lawmakers-unanimously-pass-linux-exemption-from-age-verification-law-software-distributed-under-the-gpl-mit-bsd-and-apache-licenses-are-exempt
12 boosts · 0 favs · 2 replies · Aug 29, 2026
#hardware