Your PC Might Soon Demand Proof of Age Before Letting You Browse. Here's What to Know

OS age-verification laws are expanding from websites to the operating system. California's Digital Age Assurance Act (AB 1043) requires OSes to ask for a user’s age during setup and share an age range with apps, with Linux distributions included; the rule takes effect January 1, 2027. Colorado's SB 26-051 follows a similar path, taking effect July 1, 2028 and exempting open-source systems like Linux. These two states are currently the only enacted laws, though a proposed federal Parents Decide Act would broaden nationwide OS-age verification if enacted. Apple discussed age-based restrictions for child accounts at WWDC 2026, and Texas has moved to mandate account verification. Privacy advocates warn of implications.