#s.5090

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/119/s5090/text

opinions and a breakdown with possible solutions would be v much appreciated if you have the time and energy. 🙏 i hope the rest of the week is kind and gentle for you, you deserve some rest !

— lucy

⭐️🇺🇸S. 5090: Digital Age Assurance Act of 2026. This would apply to ALL STATES! 🇺🇸⭐️

Who started this bill?

Mr. Kim (for himself, Ms. Lummis, Mr. Schiff and Mr. Barrasso) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Summary from the page:

To require operating system providers to require users to indicate their age and developers of applications, covered internet website operators, and browser providers to request a signal from operating system providers that indicates a user's age, and for other purposes.

Breakdown of the bill:

1) It makes operating systems verify your age

When you create or update your device account, you must provide your date of birth. The operating system (such as your phone or computer's OS) determines your age bracket.

2) It shares an age bracket with apps and certain websites

Instead of giving apps your birthday, the operating system sends only an age category: Under 13, 13–15, 16, and 17+. (I'm guessing you would give your birthday to the operating system or something like it says? What's to stop them to change this to ID or something?)

3) It requires parental links for minors

Users under 17 must have their account linked to a parent or legal guardian's account (with an exception for emancipated minors).

4) It limits how age data can be used

Companies can not sell age bracket data. They can not use it for targeted advertising, profiling, or combine it with other personal information.

5) It creates enforcement and penalties

The FTC and state attorneys general can enforce this law. Companies that violate it can face civil fines, with larger penalties if violations affect multiple minors.

Problems with this bill ⭐️🚩:

- So what is gonna stop a minor from making an 18+ account when they set up a device? (Most minors I know if they are old enough like teens set up their own devices.)

- Once the infrastructure exists, Congress or states could later expand what it is used for. (I do not trust the government. Today's voluntary age information could become mandatory government-ID verification later. They could literally request all your highly sensitive info one day. What is there to stop them if they implement this?)

- Adults will possibly not discuss sensitive topics if they think their age is being tracked. Minors will lose access to educational or support resources. Vulnerable groups will also lose access to needed resources or online platforms. Platforms may over-restrict content because they know a user is a minor.

- Operating system providers would still need to collect sensitive age information. (Your birthday is the most likely thing they would ask for, like they said if not ID, WHICH is still personal info!)

- Centralizing any information creates an attractive target for attackers. Any large database containing age related info increases data breaches. We have seen this in the past with Discord, Google, Meta, etc.

- This puts a huge burden on open-source software. It also would be costly for them to make. So how are they gonna fund a system like this? If they plan on using taxpayers money a BUNCH of people will have a problem with that!

- Minors can still access adult content through shared devices and they will definitely find ways around age restrictions like they already have.

This is also being considered on an individual state level. The same stuff happening in California, Colorado, and Illinois but this is on a NATIONWIDE level! SO check your state! Remember that these states are and will be sought after in lawsuits because: THEY ARE BREAKING MULTIPLE LAWS!

⭐️Solution: Contact your reps about these bills. If you see any petitions sign them. Protest this bill. Raising awareness is also SUPER IMPORTANT! ⭐️