In its latest weekly update, MX Linux has publicly opposed age-verification requirements, as the project rejects implementing age verification at the operating system level. Developers cite concerns about user privacy, feasibility, and consistency with open source principles.
“While we wait on court challenges and to see if and how these laws apply to non-commercial open source operating systems and applications, let me assure users that no one on the team at MX wants to implement something like age verification.“
In addition, MX Linux directly addresses users in countries where such regulations are being introduced, making clear that regulatory pressure should be directed at policymakers rather than open source projects.
“So my suggestion for those in the US, and other countries, is to lobby your government representatives, federal, state, or whatever your country has, and not your linux distro.”
The statement comes at a time when age verification is being actively discussed across multiple areas of the Linux stack. Proposals have ranged from desktop-level integration to lower-level components, including identity-related attributes managed by core system services. Several of these efforts have already faced strong resistance from developers and maintainers.
In light of these events, MX Linux joins others in opposing these measures. The project argues that adding age verification to general-purpose operating systems would require handling sensitive user data and increasing system complexity.
So, in short, MX Linux has no plans to adopt or support age verification, aligning itself with the prevailing stance of nearly all Linux distributions at the moment, which are largely taking a wait-and-see approach as events unfold.
Im actually very happy that mx linux joined in the age verification free distros and im not even surprised that many linux distros like ubuntu or red hat are standing with age verification in the end they are corpo distros but what surprised me is that arch is considering age verification guess mx linux is the way to go now days
MX Linux comes with the extra benefit of being systemd-free if you chose so.
That will definitely make them attract some new users, as systemd has a huge toxic-sounding to it these days.
I’m glad that I do not live in California or Colorado.
I said something like this on a related thread, it still applies. Any OS or distribution refusing to comply with these laws is protecting children. Any OS, app, or site that uses this age flag permits predators a quick and easy “here is a juvenile target” indicator to home in on. This is like spreading blood in shark waters!
The developers or publishers of these open source Operating Systems have decided to not implement Age Verification, or are currently restricting access in regions with Age Verification laws.
⛔ Omarchy Linux
⛔ Devuan Linux
⛔ Slackware Linux
⛔ Vendefoul Wolf Linux
⛔ GrapheneOS Android-based mobile OS
⛔ FreeDOS
⛔ Artix Linux
⛔ DB48X Calculator firmware
⛔ Arch Linux 32 Developer forbids usage in Brazil, California
⛔ Ageless Linux Debian fork created to protest Age Verification
⛔ Garuda Linux
⛔ Void Linux
⛔ EndeavorOS Linux
And now MX LINUX
Thank you for protecting Freedom AND for protecting the children!
When using the no entry sign, it feels like “you shouldn’t use those”.
But, given the content of your message, this seems a little paradoxical.
That being said, I mostly agree with you.
Kudos to the MX Linux team. 👏🏻
I think this Distro will be my next Daily OS
MX Linux ROCKS!!!!
MX has been my home base for many years now. I love their pragmatic approach towards systemd during these devicive times. Not to mention all the other stuff they do thruout the distro making it so bloody good.
This step fits perfectly in that picture.