Colorado moves age checks from websites to operating systems
Hacker News
February 21, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Colorado lawmakers are shifting their focus from regulating individual websites to embedding age verification directly into mobile operating systems and app stores, as outlined in Senate Bill 26-051. Instead of mandating every website to implement age checks, the bill assigns responsibility to OS providers and app store infrastructure. By requiring users to provide birth dates during account creation, these providers will generate an age signal available to developers. This approach aims to streamline enforcement by integrating age verification at the OS level, allowing apps to apply restrictions without direct website regulation.
This move reflects Colorado’s ongoing efforts to balance child safety with legal and technical feasibility. Previous attempts, such as Senate Bill 25-201, faced challenges due to privacy concerns and constitutional issues. Critics argued that requiring sensitive user data for age verification could infringe on First Amendment rights and create security risks. Similarly, Senate Bill 25-086, which targeted social media platforms, was vetoed over feasibility and constitutional worries.
The shift to OS-level enforcement is significant because it leverages the controlled ecosystem of mobile devices, where a few major companies dominate operating systems, app stores, and account management. This structure creates a clear compliance point, potentially simplifying regulation while minimizing direct impacts on free speech and user privacy. For tech enthusiasts, this approach highlights innovative regulatory strategies in internet governance, offering insights into how states might address online content moderation moving forward.
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Originally published on Hacker News on 2/21/2026