US may force operating systems to have mandatory age verification, share info with third parties
The US House has introduced the “Parents Decide Act,” a proposed bill that would require major operating systems—including Windows, Linux, and macOS—to implement mandatory age verification for users during installation and regular use. The legislation, sponsored by New Jersey Democrat Josh Gottheimer and a New York Republican, has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for further deliberation.
The bill represents a significant regulatory proposal aimed at controlling access to digital platforms based on user age. If passed, it would require operating system providers to implement age verification mechanisms that could potentially extend to ongoing use rather than just initial installation, fundamentally changing how consumers interact with their devices.
The bipartisan sponsorship suggests the proposal has support across political lines, though the specifics regarding data collection and privacy protections remain unclear from the available information. The referral to the Energy and Commerce Committee indicates the legislative process is in its early stages.