California's AB 1856 Offers Open-Source Exemption But Expands Age-Gating Requirements to All Browsers and Websites
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Tue, Jun 2nd 2026 03:23pm - Molly Buckley
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Summary
California's AB 1856 bill proposes exempting open-source operating systems from the age-verification mandates of last year's AB 1043 (Digital Age Assurance Act), responding to public backlash. However, the bill simultaneously expands age-gating requirements to all web browsers and websites, requiring them to collect users' ages. Critics argue this expansion still threatens internet users' speech, privacy, and security, and that the open-source exemption alone does not address the broader harms of mandatory age verification across the web.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledAfter public outrage, California lawmakers are moving closer to exempting open-source operating systems from the sweeping age-bracketing regime mandated by last year's Digital Age Assurance Act (AB 1043).
Nonetheless, the current bill still jeopardizes internet users' speech, privacy, and security.
While the open source exemption, if passed, would improve the law, the remaining amendments proposed by AB 1856 would require all web browsers and websites to request and collect users' ages.
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