Whilst this would be better than blanket age verification, I feel it’s a mediocre outcome for the wrong fight.
Rather than taking a carve out for FOSS, the right fight is to get the online anonymity ban age verification legislation taken out completely.
If we let ourselves be satisfied with a carve out for those of us who are technically literate enough to sidestep early implementations anyway, we let the status quo change, until eventually they will come back for FOSS with the justification:
“well, EVERYONE ELSE submits to age verification, why should FOSS be any different?!”
or more likely:
“${scaryThreat} now uses FOSS to commit ${heinousCrime} against ${peopleWeSuddenlyCareAboutForPoliticalCapital} so we HAVE to protect the kids on FOSS now too!! #thoughtsAndPrayers #wontSomebodyThinkOfTheChildren”
Instead of age verification, it should be improved parental controls. Make it more obvious how to set them up. The initial boot for windows first page could be “are you setting this up for an adult or child?”, even require shops selling computers to make sure customers understand that.
Make the parents take the responsibility they are currently somehow managing to avoid.
Whilst this would be better than blanket age verification, I feel it’s a mediocre outcome for the wrong fight.
Rather than taking a carve out for FOSS, the right fight is to get the
online anonymity banage verification legislation taken out completely.If we let ourselves be satisfied with a carve out for those of us who are technically literate enough to sidestep early implementations anyway, we let the status quo change, until eventually they will come back for FOSS with the justification:
“well, EVERYONE ELSE submits to age verification, why should FOSS be any different?!”
or more likely:
“${scaryThreat} now uses FOSS to commit ${heinousCrime} against ${peopleWeSuddenlyCareAboutForPoliticalCapital} so we HAVE to protect the kids on FOSS now too!! #thoughtsAndPrayers #wontSomebodyThinkOfTheChildren”
Instead of age verification, it should be improved parental controls. Make it more obvious how to set them up. The initial boot for windows first page could be “are you setting this up for an adult or child?”, even require shops selling computers to make sure customers understand that.
Make the parents take the responsibility they are currently somehow managing to avoid.