this post was submitted on 25 Mar 2026
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You haven't shown how this would be prevented if systemd didn't store birthDate.
You, and I, are no more affected by this field than we have been affected by the realName or location fields which have existed for decades. The field doesn't do anything unless you choose to run software that uses it.
If you're going to swap init systems because of this change then you understand my point about choice. If you think this field is bad, you can choose to not install systemd. If you use systemd and think the field is bad you can choose to not install software that uses the field.
I think the age verification laws are pointless and damaging, but systemd isn't the battleground to fight that battle and, most importantly, people who are engaged in a harassment campaign against this developer are completely in the wrong.