Apple is implementing age verification for iPhone and iPad users in the UK, requiring device owners to verify their age for "certain services." This comes alongside Apple's removal of Advanced Data Protection for UK users in 2025. The move raises questions about why a device manufacturer is implementing age verification when UK law doesn't require operating systems or hardware manufacturers to do so, unlike service providers.

Developments in the open-source world parallel Apple's approach, with Systemd having a pull request for age verification and Flatpak discussing implementation technicals. These moves appear connected to upcoming California laws set to take effect in 2027. The author speculates Apple's UK implementation might serve as a test bed for future requirements, though UK law doesn't compel operating systems to verify user age.

For Linux users, practical implementation questions arise. The Systemd check requires only root to modify age data, while Flatpak is exploring similar approaches. This raises concerns about how users would prove their age when system administrators can potentially falsify their own birth dates. Non-Systemd Linux distributions may view these developments skeptically, questioning the necessity and implementation of such verification mechanisms.