For those interested on the question of age verification and GNU/Linux: be aware that Systemd v261-rc1 was recently released. It now implements an optional
birth datefield in the JSON user database (see second item under “Other changes”).The implementation of this field was prompted by age-verification or -attestation laws.
Writeup by @pglpm@lemmy.ca
While yes, it is optional, this is to comply with governments around the world with what will be digital ID.
That’s what the people who were outraged were calling out about systemd’s new field.
I understand their position but disagree with the tactics.
Yes, the age verification laws are incredibly bad for various reasons. I do not support them in any way.
However, they do exist and services are required to comply with them. Many services in this position use Linux and systemd. On those systems, systemd is the location where user data like this would be stored. So, from a software engineering perspective it only makes sense to include a field to handle this.
People were taking this engineering decision and treating as if it were a proxy for age verification laws. They were doxxing the developer and the comments were borderline inciting violence (and some not borderline at all). That’s the part I take issue with.
It’s slacktivisim.
Effectively fighting against age verification requires engaging with the political system, not spamming toxic comments on social media. The fight against age verification isn’t going to be won inside of git repos and no progress is made by attacking volunteer developers.
You’re right that it is an important issue, but the people that show up just to be toxic and violent are not doing the cause any favors and should be shunned from the community. These people were not actually members of our community, they were tourists following the outrage train and have since moved on to other topics for their next hit of outrage and self-righteousness.
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I proved to not be one of those types. While I do see the new field as a Trojan for digital ID, it is an optional field for now, though it may end up being baked in sometime in the future.
That’s just how I see it, though. At this point, just don’t comply with digital ID in the first place.
Yeah, and I’m on your team on the important topic.
My perspective on the systemd change is that in open source software it is impossible for any project to force me to do anything that I don’t want to do. If the field ever becomes non-optional then I’ll use a different init system.
To me, this is just engineers making engineering decisions in a way that is the least impactful for people not participating in the age verification nonsense.
Seeing people actively targeting the humans behind the update is the part that has motivated me to speak out. I don’t think your position is wrong in any way, just some of the people sharing that perspective were being actively toxic and harmful.