It looks like the digital landscape in California is about to undergo a significant shift. Governor Gavin Newsom has signed the Digital Age Assurance Act, also known as AB 1043, which mandates that all operating system providers implement age verification directly into their account setup processes. While aimed at “protecting” younger users, the law casts a very wide net, pulling in everything from Windows and macOS to Linux distributions and Valve’s SteamOS.
California AB 1043
The new legislation requires that any entity developing or controlling an operating system for computers or mobile devices must provide an “accessible interface” during initial setup. Users will be required to provide their date of birth or age, which the system then categorises into specific brackets. This information is shared with application developers via a real-time API so they can tailor content or restrictions accordingly.
The law defines four distinct age categories for the signal:
- Users under 13 years of age.
- Users at least 13 and under 16.
- Users at least 16 and under 18.
- Users aged 18 and over.
One of the most interesting aspects of this bill is that it does not currently require more invasive measures such as facial scanning or uploading government IDs. Instead, it relies on self-reporting at the OS level. However, the shift in responsibility is clear: once a developer receives this age signal, they are legally “deemed to have actual knowledge” of the user’s age. If they fail to provide age-appropriate content after receiving that signal, they face hefty fines of up to $7,500 per affected child for intentional violations.
The inclusion of Linux and SteamOS is where things get particularly tricky. Unlike Microsoft or Apple, many Linux distributions are maintained by small teams or community volunteers who lack the infrastructure to maintain a “consistent real-time application programming interface” for age tracking. Some community members have already suggested that instead of complying, smaller distros might simply add a disclaimer stating the software is not intended for use in California.
Governor Newsom has expressed some reservations despite signing the bill, noting that the legislature may need to address “complexities such as multi-user accounts shared within families and user profiles spread across multiple devices” before the law actually goes live.
The Digital Age Assurance Act (AB 1043) is scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2027.
