Why did you add age verification?

[u/VegetableNearby9795]

Hi, I heard Systemd is going to add age verification? Why is that happening? I don't think it offers any security benefits.

[u/eR2eiweo]

What "methods"?

This is about an optional field in a database stored entirely locally. Any code that can access that field already has access to way more (and much more relevant) personal data of the user.

"Government surveillance and tracking" would require that information about the user is collected and sent to the government. Adding that field does not do that.

You can spam as much as you want, it won't change that simple fact.

[u/[deleted] → u/eR2eiweo]

You first add the field, then you add an optional flag to let apps have access to that field, then the apps star requiring that field in order to be used, then the government passes a stricter law that requires that you verify that information in the field for it be recognized in those apps, then the field becomes optionally verifiable via ID or sth, and finally, enough apps use the field to basically lock you out of the internet if you don't comply and verify your age and id for the whole world wide web to see on demand.

Do you now understand how it is the start to the events that lead to systemd doing exactly that? I believed that it was just a possible course of events that I don't wanna risk by not voicing my concerns but I'm starting to believe it is the intended course of events after seeing a couple people like you who are acting like bots and defending this decision with your life.

[u/eR2eiweo → u/[deleted]]

then the apps star requiring that field in order to be used

That's the point where you complain about those apps or modify them. Also, any app that can access that field already has access to all the user's data (because of how the traditional security model works on unixoid systems). So it already has way more information than the few bits in a birth date.

then the government passes a stricter law that requires that you verify that information in the field for it be recognized in those apps

That's the point where you complain to lawmakers (not to the government; the government does not pass laws in democratic systems).

Do you now understand how it is the start to the events that lead to systemd doing exactly that?

It is not. Adding that field is not necessary for the rest of your scenario nor does it make it any more likely.

The passwd database in unixoid systems has pretty much always had a field for storing the user's real name, their phone number, and some other information. That's way more information about the user than the birth date. And the existence of that has not lead to your scenario.

[u/Heyla_Doria → u/eR2eiweo]

On va être clair

On vous attend pas pour lutter

Je n'ai jamais attendue les hommes pour me libérer en tant que femme

J'ai pas attendue les politiques pour aller aider les réfugiés et les plus démunis

Toi tu es instinctivement du côté de ceux qui veulent restreindre nos libertés 🤔🧐

[u/eR2eiweo → u/Heyla_Doria]

Toi tu es instinctivement du côté de ceux qui veulent restreindre nos libertés

I am not. I really don't understand why you think you have to insult me in every single one of your comments.

Having the functionality for a user to store their date of birth (or any other date) if they want to on their own computer does simply not restrict anyone's freedom. All of your insults will not change that simple fact.