Colorado’s new bill requiring operating systems to collect users’ ages has sparked backlash from the Linux community. Carl Richell, founder of System76 and Pop!_OS, lobbied against it, arguing that age-gating would compromise the principles of open-source software.

Richell highlighted how age restrictions could obstruct learning on Linux and criticised the bill as an unnecessary intrusion. His efforts paid off when SB26-051 included an exemption for open-source operating systems.

The issue extends beyond Colorado, with similar laws being proposed in California, Illinois, and New York. Open-source developers face practical challenges in implementing age-gating tech without compromising user privacy. Some are defying the new rules, while others seek solutions that minimise impact on their projects.

Michael Dolan from the Linux Foundation warned that such mandates create new privacy risks and are not effective at improving child safety. The debate highlights a growing tension between legal compliance and preserving open-source ideals.