If passed, the bill would apply across the U.S., unlike the state-level laws already around.

The U.S. has been quietly building up a set of state-level laws that push operating system providers into the age verification plague.

California’s AB 1043, signed in October 2025, requires OS providers to collect age data at account setup and pipe it to apps through a real-time API. It kicks in on January 1, 2027.

Colorado is working on something nearly identical. SB26-051 (which we covered when it was still a proposal) passed the state Senate 28-7 on March 3, 2026, and is now waiting on a House vote to become law there too.

However, these are just state-level laws. A new federal bill, H.R.8250, introduced on April 13, 2026, by Rep. Josh Gottheimer, with Rep. Elise M. Stefanik signing on as cosponsor, has us intrigued.

  • IllNess@infosec.pub
    7·
    6 hours ago

    This bill, if passed, will force operating systems to verify the age of the user. This means the verification uses a government issued ID.

    • Mothra@mander.xyz
      3·
      5 hours ago

      It’s the mechanism apparently being impossible to be cheated on what I don’t understand. Or maybe I’m just hopelessly confused.

      I should have replied under the post instead of under your comment, but it was your comment the one triggering the oh wait what moment for me, sorry. Don’t feel like you have to give me an answer if I’m not making any sense