AB-1043 “Age verification signals: software applications and online services.”
Text https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1043
Other info https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1043
California AB 1043 signed. Mandatory os-level, device-level, app store, and even developer-required age verification for all computing devices.
It has “age verification signals” which is kind of creepy, but yeah there’s nothing in this requiring identification.
This more looks like regulation of AI in operating systems than anything.
Not just AI, but an easier way for developers to ensure COPPA compliance. If anything this leads to more privacy, as it is already illegal to store a bunch of kinds of info that can be used to market to anyone under 13. Right now developers have to ask the users age whenever they create an account, install a game/app, or visit a website. Theoretically, this could get rid of all of those prompts.
Honestly, I’m tempted to say I’m a child on all my devices if it will automatically prevent cookies and other methods of tracking/advertising.
Just use the “do not track” header. (1).
That’s to say: it will not work. This is step one, and it’ll have the same result as the do not track header. You can’t force a Qatari or Malaysian developer to care about US courts.
Thus comes step 2 after the uselesness of this bill becomes apparent. Make it usefull by mandating automated censors at OS or application level. Outlawing general purpuse computing and open source software where people can deactivate this important safety feature. That’s the way the EU wants to do it with mandatory EU LLMs in applications.
Otherwise they can choose to go the China route and firewall on network level, to make sure all subjects have access to only government approved, safe information. For the children.
But it’s best to put the frog into cold water first.