Systemd Introduces Birth Date Support for Upcoming Linux Desktop Age Controls

4 hours ago

Systemd now includes a birthDate field in its user record format to standardize age-related metadata in Linux.
The birthDate field is set by administrators and cannot be edited by users directly.
This update does not enforce age restrictions but provides data for other services to use.
XDG-desktop-portal is introducing APIs for age-based content accessibility in sandboxed applications.
Systemd acts as a backend, storing birth dates for higher-level components to make age-related decisions.
New legal requirements in California, Colorado, and Brazil are driving these changes.
Developers debate whether storing full birth dates is necessary or if age ranges would suffice.
Systemd-free distributions like Void and Alpine will need alternative solutions for age verification.
Critics argue this is another attempt by Red Hat to control the Linux stack.
Concerns are raised about privacy, control, and the potential for broader surveillance.
The EU’s E-ID system is seen as a step toward broader digital identification and control.
Some view this as part of a larger trend toward dystopian surveillance and financial control via CBDCs.
Critics also link these developments to broader agendas, including pandemic preparedness and digital certificates.
The debate includes concerns about the impact on children and the role of parents in regulating device usage.

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