On every update of a #Linux machine, the integrity of the downloaded packages is guaranteed by a software that its creator nearly went to jail for, hadn't he [actively searched for, and used, a legal loophole](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Zimmermann#Arms_Export_Control_Act_investigation ).
With respect to Californian #AgeVerification law AB 1043 that wont go into effect until next year, the questions for ethically responsible software developers and maintainers should be:<li>What does our moral compass say, regarding age verification being forced into Linux?</li><li>Does this law even affect us?</li><li>Can it be imposed on us?</li><li>How could we resist?</li>
Instead, I'm seeing compliance in advance of the type of people who will always just have "followed orders", later:<li>Huh, what's a moral compass?</li><li>Hey, I have some really cool ideas for an implementation!</li><li>You can't resist laws. It's forbidden.</li><li>It could have been much worse, so I'll enthusiastically support the lawmakers.</li>
I've studied CS 40 years ago, and I can't remember having more than just a few of those around me. Now they are everywhere.
#privacy
katzenberger
npub1c2…jdrdw
2026-03-04 09:47:46 UTC
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npub1c28txn7vsxzrrjr34sgwskrv3mcnya2srx8jn02va2hzlkteq0lswjdrdwSeen on
wss://relay.momostr.pinkPublished at
2026-03-04 09:47:46 UTCEvent JSON
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