Your phone or computer may soon ask how old you are
Brief
First, the good news: If you use a Linux-based operating system, you may not be asked your age in a few months. The bad news is that Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android users in California will be.
California has passed a law that requires a range of operating systems to start collecting your age when you first set them up. Under the state’s Digital Age Assurance Act (DAAA), signed into law in October 2025, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android will all have to do this from January 1, 2027. Operating systems set up before that date in California will need to do the same by July 1, 2027.
Operating systems will categorize people into four age brackets: under 13, 13–15, 16–17, and 18+. They will then be able to send a non-identifying age signal to app developers. Developers must request that signal from the operating system provider or app store when someone downloads and launches an app.