Colorado and California payments are carving out exemptions for Linux and open-source software program from proposed OS-level age verification mandates, drawing a sharper regulatory divide between open-source and proprietary platforms.
Colorado and California are shifting in direction of exempting open-source working techniques and software program distributions from proposed operating-system-level age verification legal guidelines, providing a big regulatory win for the Linux and broader open-source ecosystem.
Colorado’s invoice, which has already reached its “Last Act” stage, explicitly excludes software program distributed underneath licences that permit customers to repeat, redistribute, and modify software program with out platform-imposed technical or contractual restrictions. The legislation is scheduled to take impact on July 1, 2028.
The invoice states it doesn’t apply to: “AN OPERATING SYSTEM PROVIDER OR DEVELOPER THAT DISTRIBUTES AN OPERATING SYSTEM OR APPLICATION UNDER LICENSE TERMS THAT PERMIT A RECIPIENT TO COPY, REDISTRIBUTE, AND MODIFY THE SOFTWARE WITHOUT ANY PLATFORM-IMPOSED TECHNICAL OR CONTRACTUAL RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY THE PROVIDER OR DEVELOPER ON INSTALLING ALL MODIFIED VERSIONS.”
California’s invoice, presently in its third listening to stage, consists of related exemptions beneficial to Linux and open-source software program. If accredited, it’s anticipated to take impact on January 1, 2027.
The proposed California language states that an “working system supplier” doesn’t embody entities distributing software program underneath licences allowing customers to “copy, redistribute, and modify” the software program.
The wording suggests common Linux distributions would possible keep away from obligatory age verification necessities, whereas proprietary ecosystems akin to Home windows and Valve’s SteamOS-based {hardware} might nonetheless fall inside the laws resulting from proprietary software program parts.
Gadgets probably affected embody Steam Deck, Steam Body, Steam Machine, and Legion Go S.
Earlier issues across the laws had triggered pushback inside the Linux group. Carl Richell had beforehand famous that “a battle was occurring to not less than get open supply excluded from it”.