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Manufacturers of operating systems must then
ensure that “only apps that correspond to the
age specification or that have been individually
and securely activated can be used”. The
installation of programs should only be possible
via distribution platforms such as app stores
that take the age rating into account and have
an automated rating system recognized by the
Commission for the Protection of Minors in the
Media (KJM).
This part of the law alone is impossible to implement on a open platform like Linux.
Ok, but how to prevent programs installed as Appimage, by source compilation or just downloaded binaries from running? You need a way to prevent this methods of installation to be legal
Microsoft already has the S-Mode in Windows 11 that only allows to execute apps that come from the Microsoft Store.
So it is already possible in Windows.
And at the same time we have the Jugendmedienstaatsvertrag in Germany (and with Germany as a strong force in the EU most likely everywhere in the EU soon) that will make all operating systems without fully integrated age restrictions illegal https://www.heise.de/en/news/Minors-protection-State-leaders-mandate-filters-for-operating-systems-10199455.html
This part of the law alone is impossible to implement on a open platform like Linux.
these types of laws usually come from the most technically illiterate people ever
Instrumenting a fascist society while pretending to protect children…
Don’t tell me it is law already!
It is in ratification, and will (most likely) become binding law by 1st of December 2025 in Germany
German link: https://rundfunkkommission.rlp.de/rundfunkkommission-der-laender/reform-des-jugendmedienschutz-staatsvertrages-2023
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Since it is impossible to implement on Linux, it may just be flagged as adult-only software.
But, there is still hope. What if Snaps and Flatpaks get properly flagged, allowing Ubuntu and/or Fedora to be legal?
Ok, but how to prevent programs installed as Appimage, by source compilation or just downloaded binaries from running? You need a way to prevent this methods of installation to be legal
This also applies to Windows. What prevents a user from downloading a Firefox fork that does not properly implement age verification?
Microsoft already has the S-Mode in Windows 11 that only allows to execute apps that come from the Microsoft Store. So it is already possible in Windows.