Linux PC vendor System76 is advocating against state mandates for operating system-level age verification. The company's CEO met with a Colorado senator to discuss excluding open source software from a proposed bill. Similar legislation is advancing in several other US states.
System76, a prominent Linux PC manufacturer based in Denver, Colorado, is actively engaging with lawmakers to oppose requirements for age verification at the operating system level. In a tweet shared yesterday, CEO Carl Richell announced that he met with Colorado Senator Matt Ball, co-author of Senate Bill 26-051, which aims to implement OS age attestation.
"Sen. Ball suggested excluding open source software from the bill. This appears to be a real possibility," Richell wrote. He added that amendments are expected for the California age attestation bill, expressing hope that open source could be excluded there as well. "No illusions, it's an uphill battle, but we have an open door to advocate for the open source community."
This effort follows reports from last week highlighting growing momentum in US states for such mandates. Colorado's bill is one of several: California and New York are considering similar measures, alongside Illinois Senate Bill 3977, Louisiana House Bill 570, Texas Senate Bill 2420, and Utah Senate Bill 142. Proponents include various organizations, as detailed in an associated Reddit thread.
The push extends beyond the US. In September 2025, Brazil enacted Law Number 15.211/2025, dubbed the "Brazilian Statute for the Protection of Children and Adolescents Online," which introduces comparable requirements.
System76's advocacy underscores concerns from the open source community about the feasibility and implications of embedding age checks into operating systems, particularly for Linux distributions. While other vendors offer Linux-preloaded devices, System76 remains a key voice in the debate.
Richell's commentary, titled "System76 on Age Verification Laws," provides further insight into the company's position.
