One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: CA's AB 1856 Exempts Open Source But Expands Age-Gating
Summary
California's AB 1856 proposes to exempt open-source operating systems from the age-gating requirements of AB 1043, but it also expands these requirements to web browsers and websites. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) opposes the bill, arguing that the expanded age-gating harms users' speech, privacy, and anonymity, and continues to disproportionately burden open-source developers.
IFF Assessment
This article highlights a proposed expansion of age-gating requirements that could negatively impact user privacy and speech, posing a challenge for defenders of digital liberties.
Defender Context
Defenders should be aware of evolving legislative efforts that impose data collection mandates on online services, as these can create new privacy risks and compliance burdens. The expansion of age-gating to browsers and websites may lead to increased user profiling and a chilling effect on online expression.