Your OS Now Knows Your Age: New Laws Emerge

Starting January 1, 2027, California's Digital Age Assurance Act will require operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Android to collect user ages during setup and share an age range with apps. Colorado has passed a similar law, set to take effect July 1, 2028, though it exempts open-source systems. These laws mean applications will know if a user is under 13, 13-16, 16-18, or over 18, impacting how they provide services.

Privacy advocates worry that while California's law initially accepts self-attested ages, companies may implement more invasive verification methods like credit card or biometric scans to avoid liability. The federal Parents Decide Act is also under discussion, which could mandate OS-level age checks across the United States. This shift is moving age verification from individual apps and websites to the operating system level.