Colorado and California bills are carving out exemptions for Linux and open-source software from proposed OS-level age verification mandates, drawing a sharper regulatory divide between open-source and proprietary platforms.
Colorado and California are moving towards exempting open-source operating systems and software distributions from proposed operating-system-level age verification laws, offering a significant regulatory win for the Linux and broader open-source ecosystem.
Colorado’s bill, which has already reached its “Final Act” stage, explicitly excludes software distributed under licences that allow users to copy, redistribute, and modify software without platform-imposed technical or contractual restrictions. The law is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2028.
The bill states it does not apply to: “AN OPERATING SYSTEM PROVIDER OR DEVELOPER THAT DISTRIBUTES AN OPERATING SYSTEM OR APPLICATION UNDER LICENSE TERMS THAT PERMIT A RECIPIENT TO COPY, REDISTRIBUTE, AND MODIFY THE SOFTWARE WITHOUT ANY PLATFORM-IMPOSED TECHNICAL OR CONTRACTUAL RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY THE PROVIDER OR DEVELOPER ON INSTALLING ALL MODIFIED VERSIONS.”
California’s bill, currently in its third hearing stage, includes similar exemptions favourable to Linux and open-source software. If approved, it is expected to take effect on January 1, 2027.
The proposed California language states that an “operating system provider” does not include entities distributing software under licences permitting users to “copy, redistribute, and modify” the software.
The wording suggests regular Linux distributions would likely avoid mandatory age verification requirements, while proprietary ecosystems such as Windows and Valve’s SteamOS-based hardware could still fall within the legislation due to proprietary software components.
Devices potentially affected include Steam Deck, Steam Frame, Steam Machine, and Legion Go S.
Earlier concerns around the legislation had triggered pushback within the Linux community. Carl Richell had previously noted that “a fight was going on to at least get open source excluded from it”.
