A bill has emerged that would require operating systems to verify users' ages and compel them to share that information with third parties.
The contents of the 'Parents Decide Act,' introduced by U.S. Representative Josh Gottheimer, have been made public, revealing several restrictions, including requiring operating system (OS) developers to verify age.
Text - HR8250 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): Parents Decide Act | Congress.gov | Library of Congress
US may force operating systems to have mandatory age verification, share info with third parties | PC Gamer
https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/us-may-force-operating-systems-to-have-mandatory-age-verification-share-info-with-third-parties/
US operating system age verification bill 'Parents Decide Act' gets published | GamingOnLinux
https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2026/04/us-operating-system-age-verification-bill-parents-decide-act-gets-published/
The 'Parents' Decision Bill' is a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Democratic Senator Gottheimer and Republican Senator Elise Stefanik. At the time of its announcement , it was revealed that it would include the following:
- OS developers will be required to properly verify users' ages without relying on self-reporting.
- Allow parents to set age-appropriate restrictions on social media, apps, AI platforms, etc.
- Establish consistent and trustworthy standards across the platform to prevent children from accessing harmful content.
This bill has been formally submitted and its contents are now available for public viewing. The bill imposes several restrictions on OS developers. One is that when a user creates and uses an OS account, they will be required to provide their date of birth. If the user is under 18, their parent or legal guardian must verify their date of birth.
While the method for verifying the date of birth is not specified, the bill's announcement mentioned that it would 'not rely on user self-declaration,' suggesting that users cannot simply enter a random date of birth.
Another requirement is the development of a system that allows app developers to access all information collected by the OS and verify the birth dates of users who use their apps. This would allow for restrictions on users under 18 from using the apps, but some have raised privacy concerns because it would involve sharing user information with a third party, the app developer.
This bill clearly defines an OS as 'software that supports the basic functions of a computer, mobile device, or other general-purpose computing device,' but some question how open-source Linux forks and similar systems will handle personal information.
Australia was the first country in the world to adopt a law banning social media use for minors, and similar laws are being enacted in various parts of the world. However, there are countless concerns raised, including privacy issues related to age verification and the potential infringement of children's right to choose what information they want to know.
Australia's law banning social media use for those under 16 is reportedly isolating children with disabilities - GIGAZINE
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