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California's Age Attestation Bill to Exclude Linux and All Open Source OSes

Published

31 August 2026

Topic

regulatory

◆ Sectors

Enterprise Software

◆ Geography

United States

◆ Source

Read at 9to5linux.com →

◆ Verified

Fusion42 · 31 August 2026 · Fusion42 review

California passed Assembly Bill 1856, amending its Digital Age Assurance Act to exempt Linux and all open-source operating systems from age attestation requirements, aligning with a similar exemption approach adopted by Colorado.

This Wire brief sits within Fusion42's coverage of Enterprise Software, and 3 sources have reported it between 30 Aug 2026 and 31 Aug 2026.

◆ ◆ The Wire takeaway

You can avoid integrating mandatory age verification in your open-source OS distribution if operating in California. This legal clarity opens up smoother market access and reduces compliance overhead for open-source software founders.

◆ Coverage

3 sources · first reported 30 Aug 2026 · latest 31 Aug 2026

◆ Related on Wire

◆ Topics

Enterprise Softwarecalifornia-lawopen-sourceage-verificationdigital-age-assurancelinux-exemption