From Newsgroup: uk.legal.moderated

Oh dear. Government really does not understand computers and seems to
think everything with internet access is an i-something or a
google-something.

<https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly752ydjw6o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss>

(I believe the same issue has arisen across the waters... badly informed legislators are causing waves. Always to keep the children safe, of course.)
--
Mike Scott
Harlow, England


--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.legal.moderated

On 08/06/2026 16:45, Mike Scott wrote:

Oh dear. Government really does not understand computers and seems to
think everything with internet access is an i-something or a google- something.

<https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly752ydjw6o? at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss>

What has Linux got to do with it?
As I see it they did a briefing, and mentioned the 'big players', any Legislation will undoubtedly include all programms/apps that do not
conform, so it will be all OS's and platforms that need to comply.

Clearly there will be people/programs/apps capable of bypassing any legislation, but if the Government pin back the big players, the
perceived problem will reduce.

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.legal.moderated

Mike Scott <usenet.16@scottsonline.org.uk.invalid> wrote:

Oh dear. Government really does not understand computers and seems to
think everything with internet access is an i-something or a google-something.

<https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly752ydjw6o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss>

(I believe the same issue has arisen across the waters... badly informed legislators are causing waves. Always to keep the children safe, of course.)

Given this, from the above link, itrCOs probably more about wanting to know
who is using which phone, probably via a wonderful rCysafety-relatedrCO universal digital ID system:

Quote: Legislation could cover operating system providers and others in the supply chain, such as retailers, and will not affect the use of devices
owned and used by adults who verify their age," he said. Unquote.
--
Spike

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.legal.moderated

On Mon, 08 Jun 2026 18:00:29 +0100, Alan Lee wrote:

On 08/06/2026 16:45, Mike Scott wrote:

Oh dear. Government really does not understand computers and seems to
think everything with internet access is an i-something or a google-
something.

<https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly752ydjw6o?
at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss>

What has Linux got to do with it?
As I see it they did a briefing, and mentioned the 'big players', any Legislation will undoubtedly include all programms/apps that do not
conform, so it will be all OS's and platforms that need to comply.

Clearly there will be people/programs/apps capable of bypassing any legislation, but if the Government pin back the big players, the
perceived problem will reduce.

There is a push in the US to make the providers of the OS responsible for
it's age verification. Whether the UK will follow is another matter. But
Utah (I believe) are looking to make VPNs illegal.

https://www.theregister.com/columnists/2026/05/18/utah-tells-porn-sites- to-take-the-p-out-of-vpns-and-its-their-fault-that-they-cant/5240978

and

https://www.theregister.com/software/2026/05/26/california-may-let-linux- bypass-age-check/5246575

Last October, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Digital Age Assurance Act (AB 1043) into law, which establishes age verification obligations for operating system providers, covered app stores, and application developers.

Those distributing operating systems must provide "an accessible
interface at account setup" for the user to indicate birth date, age, or
both.




--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.legal.moderated

On 08/06/2026 16:45, Mike Scott wrote:

Oh dear. Government really does not understand computers and seems to
think everything with internet access is an i-something or a google- something.

<https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly752ydjw6o? at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss>

(I believe the same issue has arisen across the waters... badly informed legislators are causing waves. Always to keep the children safe, of
course.)

'Tech companies such as Apple and Google have been asked by the UK
government to block access to naked images on smartphones and other
devices for under-18s.'

'Speaking at London Tech Week, the prime minister said: "This is not an impossible challenge. These are some of the most innovative companies in
the world and I believe they can solve it."'

There's no reliable way to block "naughty" pictures. The Chinese tried
it a few years ago: it allowed nude black women but blocked pink pigs.

"We are working constructively with UK partners to find effective, privacy-preserving solutions that deter the spread of harmful content
while ensuring a safe digital environment for young people."

All age verification violates privacy. In fact the whole thing violates
our freedom to peacefully enjoy our lives.

'The government said 91% of online child sexual abuse reports recorded
in 2024 contained self-generated content from children themselves and
the average child now views pornography by the age of 13.'

Kids, eh?
--
Max Demian

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.legal.moderated

On 2026-06-08, Spike <aero.spike@mail.com> wrote:

Mike Scott <usenet.16@scottsonline.org.uk.invalid> wrote:

Oh dear. Government really does not understand computers and seems to
think everything with internet access is an i-something or a
google-something.

<https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly752ydjw6o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss>

(I believe the same issue has arisen across the waters... badly informed
legislators are causing waves. Always to keep the children safe, of
course.)

I don't see how we get from this article to "linux to become illegal".
There's no suggestion of that whatsoever.

Given this, from the above link, itrCOs probably more about wanting to know who is using which phone, probably via a wonderful rCysafety-relatedrCO universal digital ID system:

Quote: Legislation could cover operating system providers and others in the supply chain, such as retailers, and will not affect the use of devices
owned and used by adults who verify their age," he said. Unquote.

It's not to do without who is using which phone. Not least because
my phone, for example, was verified as being used by someone over 18
with no identification required whatsoever, simply because my Apple
account is old enough that its owner must inevitably be over 18.

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.legal.moderated

On 08/06/2026 18:15, Jethro wrote:

On Mon, 08 Jun 2026 18:00:29 +0100, Alan Lee wrote:

On 08/06/2026 16:45, Mike Scott wrote:

Oh dear. Government really does not understand computers and seems to
think everything with internet access is an i-something or a google-
something.

<https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly752ydjw6o?
at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss>

What has Linux got to do with it?
As I see it they did a briefing, and mentioned the 'big players', any
Legislation will undoubtedly include all programms/apps that do not
conform, so it will be all OS's and platforms that need to comply.

Clearly there will be people/programs/apps capable of bypassing any
legislation, but if the Government pin back the big players, the
perceived problem will reduce.

There is a push in the US to make the providers of the OS responsible for it's age verification. Whether the UK will follow is another matter. But
Utah (I believe) are looking to make VPNs illegal.

https://www.theregister.com/columnists/2026/05/18/utah-tells-porn-sites- to-take-the-p-out-of-vpns-and-its-their-fault-that-they-cant/5240978

and

https://www.theregister.com/software/2026/05/26/california-may-let-linux- bypass-age-check/5246575

Last October, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Digital Age Assurance Act (AB 1043) into law, which establishes age verification obligations for operating system providers, covered app stores, and application developers.

Those distributing operating systems must provide "an accessible
interface at account setup" for the user to indicate birth date, age, or both.

Which is exactly the scenario I was pondering. Linux does not and indeed /cannot/ do this. So it could well become unlawful to distribute.

More concerning is that the tech to forcibly lock down the PC on your
desk is already around - secure boot requires a signed key (available
from MS) or can be at present turned off. OS's like ubuntu do have
signed keys, but if manufacturers removed the disable-secure-boot
option, and MS refused to give out keys (and they might legally have
to), then it would seem no more linux, or any other "independent" OS.

Maybe parents/carers/guardians should just take better care of their
charges.
--
Mike Scott
Harlow, England

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.legal.moderated

On Mon, 8 Jun 2026 19:28:22 +0100, Mike Scott <usenet.16@scottsonline.org.uk.invalid> wrote:

On 08/06/2026 18:15, Jethro wrote:

Last October, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Digital Age
Assurance Act (AB 1043) into law, which establishes age verification
obligations for operating system providers, covered app stores, and
application developers.

Those distributing operating systems must provide "an accessible
interface at account setup" for the user to indicate birth date, age, or
both.

Which is exactly the scenario I was pondering. Linux does not and indeed >/cannot/ do this. So it could well become unlawful to distribute.

Linux is perfectly capable of doing that. It's just a case of adding a
couple of fields (or just one field) to a standard account creation routine. There's no requirement in the Act that the OS or device verifies that the
data entered by the user is correct, or even complete.

Mark

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.legal.moderated

On Mon, 8 Jun 2026 18:14:26 +0100, Max Demian <max_demian@bigfoot.com>
wrote:

There's no reliable way to block "naughty" pictures. The Chinese tried
it a few years ago: it allowed nude black women but blocked pink pigs.

"A few years ago" is a different world in Moore's law.

Mark

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.legal.moderated

On 08/06/2026 16:45, Mike Scott wrote:

Oh dear. Government really does not understand computers and seems to
think everything with internet access is an i-something or a google- something.

<https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly752ydjw6o? at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss>

(I believe the same issue has arisen across the waters... badly informed legislators are causing waves. Always to keep the children safe, of
course.)

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/09/white-house-urges-uk-not-ban-social-media-under-16s

Yanks don't like these kinds of restrictions on kids.

"Trump administration says restrictions could impose rCydisproportionaterCO burden on US tech companies"

So not about kids' freedom.
--
Max Demian

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.legal.moderated

On Tue, 09 Jun 2026 13:16:07 +0100, Max Demian wrote:

On 08/06/2026 16:45, Mike Scott wrote:

Oh dear. Government really does not understand computers and seems to
think everything with internet access is an i-something or a google-
something.

<https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly752ydjw6o?
at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss>

(I believe the same issue has arisen across the waters... badly
informed legislators are causing waves. Always to keep the children
safe, of course.)

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/09/white-house-urges-uk-

not-ban-social-media-under-16s

Yanks don't like these kinds of restrictions on kids.

"Trump administration says restrictions could impose rCydisproportionaterCO burden on US tech companies"

So not about kids' freedom.

The UK is, of course, in a much weaker position to try and force the
issue than were it acting within the orbit of the EU.

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.legal.moderated

More discussion

https://www.theregister.com/security/2026/06/09/signal-uks-child-nude- block-threat-wont-protect-children/5252761

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.legal.moderated

On 09/06/2026 15:49, Jethro wrote:

https://www.theregister.com/security/2026/06/09/signal-uks-child-nude- block-threat-wont-protect-children/5252761

"Encrypted messaging app warns device-level checks could be repurposed
for censorship."

No, they *are* censorship.
--
Max Demian

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2