https://www.tomshardware.com/software/operating-systems/grapheneos-refuses-to-comply-with-age-verification-laws [] Skip to main content Unlock world-class roadmaps & trusted Bench data. See More x Unparalleled insights. Industry analysis. Insider access. Tom's Hardware Premium equips you with world-class coverage and detailed insights into the evolving hardware landscape. * Full access to our trusted Bench database: Access granular performance data instantly. * Exclusive hardware roadmaps: Peer into the future of the hardware industry. * Daily news analysis: Dive deep into the biggest stories. Subscribe to our annual plan for just $29 (*) ( ) Open menu Tom's Hardware Tom's Hardware US Edition flag of US UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia CA EditionCanada RSS Sign in * * View Profile * Sign out [ ] Search Search Tom's Hardware [ ] * * Best Picks + CPU Buying Advice o CPU Best Picks o CPU Reviews + GPU Buying Advice o GPU Best Picks o GPU Reviews + Laptop Buying Advice o Laptop Best Picks o Laptop Reviews + More Buying Advice o Keyboard Best Picks o Gaming Monitor Best Picks o Gaming Headset Best Picks o 3D Printer Best Picks o Webcam Best Picks o Mice Best Picks o How We Test * CPUs + CPU Brands o AMD Ryzen o Intel Lunar Lake o Nvidia o Qualcomm o Apple o Benchmarking + Platforms o X86 o ARM o Panther Lake o Zen 5 o AM5 + Chipmaking o DUV o EUV o Rare Earth Metals * GPUs + GPU Brands o Nvidia Blackwell o Nvidia Geforce o AMD Radeon o Intel Arc o Snapdragon X o Benchmarking + Memory Tech o GDDR7 o GDDR8 o HBM + AI Architecture o Nvidia Vera Rubin o Meta MTIA o Google TPU o AMD Instinct o Microsoft Maia + Drivers * PC Components + Memory o RAM o DRAM o DDR5 + Storage o HDDs o SSDs + Cooling o Air Cooling o Liquid Cooling o Thermal Paste + Networking o Routers + Motherboards + Overclocking + PC Cases + PC Building + Power Supplies * News + Tech Industry News o CPU News o GPU News o Chips Act o Semiconductors o Cybersecurity o Supercomputers o Quantum Computing + Company News o AMD o Intel o Nvidia o Radeon o Microsoft o TSMC o Ryzen o IBM + Newsletter * Laptops + Gaming Laptops + Ultrabooks + MacBooks + Laptop Brands o Asus o Razer o HP o MSI * Desktops + PC Building o PC Cases + Gaming PCs + Monitors o Gaming Monitors + Peripherals o Keyboards o Mice o 3D Printers o Headphones + Desktop Brands o Alienware o Corsair o GeForce o Intel Arc o Gigabyte o Acer * Software & AI + Artificial Intelligence o Machine Learning o R&D o Intel Gaudi o Cerebras o xAI + LLMs o OpenAI o Anthropic o DeepSeek o Gemini o Grok + Operating Systems o Windows o MacOS o iOS o ChromeOS o Linux + Software o Programming o Applications o Microsoft Office o Web Browsers * Coupons + Laptop and PC Coupons o Dell Coupon Codes o Asus Coupon Codes o Logitech Promo Codes o Samsung Promo codes + Hardware Coupons o Newegg Promo Codes o Corsair Discount Codes o Razer Promo Codes o Anycubic Discount codes + Software Coupons o Bitdefender Coupons o Simplisafe Coupons o MacPaw Coupons o Squarespace Coupon Codes + Gaming Coupons o Kinguin Discount Codes o Loaded Discount Codes o Logitech G Promo Codes o SteelSeries Coupons * More + Premium Forums * home * Best Picks + View Best Picks + CPU Buying Advice o CPU Best Picks o CPU Reviews + GPU Buying Advice o GPU Best Picks o GPU Reviews + Laptop Buying Advice o Laptop Best Picks o Laptop Reviews + More Buying Advice o Keyboard Best Picks o Gaming Monitor Best Picks o Gaming Headset Best Picks o 3D Printer Best Picks o Webcam Best Picks o Mice Best Picks o How We Test * CPUs + View CPUs + CPU Brands o AMD Ryzen o Intel Lunar Lake o Nvidia o Qualcomm o Apple o Benchmarking + Platforms o X86 o ARM o Panther Lake o Zen 5 o AM5 + Chipmaking o View Chipmaking o DUV o EUV o Rare Earth Metals * GPUs + View GPUs + GPU Brands o Nvidia Blackwell o Nvidia Geforce o AMD Radeon o Intel Arc o Snapdragon X o Benchmarking + Memory Tech o GDDR7 o GDDR8 o HBM + AI Architecture o Nvidia Vera Rubin o Meta MTIA o Google TPU o AMD Instinct o Microsoft Maia + Drivers * PC Components + View PC Components + Memory o RAM o DRAM o DDR5 + Storage o View Storage o HDDs o SSDs + Cooling o View Cooling o Air Cooling o Liquid Cooling o Thermal Paste + Networking o View Networking o Routers + Motherboards + Overclocking + PC Cases + PC Building + Power Supplies * News + View News + Tech Industry News o View Tech Industry News o CPU News o GPU News o Chips Act o Semiconductors o Cybersecurity o Supercomputers o Quantum Computing + Company News o AMD o Intel o Nvidia o Radeon o Microsoft o TSMC o Ryzen o IBM + Newsletter * Laptops + View Laptops + Gaming Laptops + Ultrabooks + MacBooks + Laptop Brands o Asus o Razer o HP o MSI * Desktops + View Desktops + PC Building o View PC Building o PC Cases + Gaming PCs + Monitors o View Monitors o Gaming Monitors + Peripherals o View Peripherals o Keyboards o Mice o 3D Printers o Headphones + Desktop Brands o Alienware o Corsair o GeForce o Intel Arc o Gigabyte o Acer * Software & AI + View Software & AI + Artificial Intelligence o View Artificial Intelligence o Machine Learning o R&D o Intel Gaudi o Cerebras o xAI + LLMs o View LLMs o OpenAI o Anthropic o DeepSeek o Gemini o Grok + Operating Systems o View Operating Systems o Windows o MacOS o iOS o ChromeOS o Linux + Software o View Software o Programming o Applications o Microsoft Office o Web Browsers * Coupons + View Coupons + Laptop and PC Coupons o View Laptop and PC Coupons o Dell Coupon Codes o Asus Coupon Codes o Logitech Promo Codes o Samsung Promo codes + Hardware Coupons o View Hardware Coupons o Newegg Promo Codes o Corsair Discount Codes o Razer Promo Codes o Anycubic Discount codes + Software Coupons o View Software Coupons o Bitdefender Coupons o Simplisafe Coupons o MacPaw Coupons o Squarespace Coupon Codes + Gaming Coupons o View Gaming Coupons o Kinguin Discount Codes o Loaded Discount Codes o Logitech G Promo Codes o SteelSeries Coupons Premium Forums Don't miss these Andrew Ross Sorkin and Dario Amodei (L:R) speak onstage during The New York Times DealBook Summit 2025 at Jazz at Lincoln Center on December 03, 2025 in New York City. Artificial Intelligence Anthropic refuses to lower AI guardrails for The Pentagon An official render of the Canon i-Sensys MF750, one of the printers impacted by these vulnerabilities. Tech Industry Norwegian gov't consumer watchdog calls out 'enshittification' of video games, connected devices, and others HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook ChromeOS Leaked images showcase Android's new Aluminum OS desktop interface Elon Musk, Grok 3.5, xAI Artificial Intelligence AI-generated sexual imagery to become criminal offense in the UK, following Ofcom's investigation into Grok Line up of 3D Printers 3D Printing Colorado law could force surveillance for 3D printers to prevent use for making gun parts Donald Trump and Jensen Huang speaking at a press conference. GPUs Former Chinese gaming company with China govt ties accused of smuggling banned AI GPUs Asus ROG Ally X Artificial Intelligence Lenovo and Asus handheld owners warned as Ryzen Z1 Extreme driver support reportedly ends Testing Vib-OS Operating Systems AI vibe-coded operating system is so bad it can't even run Doom 3D printer printing a gun 3D Printing California bill would restrict 3D printer sales to state-approved models to prevent printing gun parts Nvidia hardware in a data center. Artificial Intelligence U.S. government preps sweeping export controls for Nvidia, AMD AI hardware 3D Printing Top Features 3D Printing Adafruit pushes back against NY state's sweeping ban on 3D printing guns Nvidia Blackwell Ultra server stack. GPUs China's ByteDance to access 36,000 Blackwell GPU cluster through Malaysia cloud operator An image of five Fortnite characters standing abreast, facing the viewer PC Gaming Epic Games brings Secure Boot and TPM to competitive Fortnite OpenClaw logo Artificial Intelligence China bans OpenClaw from government computers and issues security guidelines amid adoption frenzy 3D printed guns 3D Printing Washington state proposes new 3D-printed gun controls with 'blocking features' and blueprint detection algorithm Trending * TH Premium Deal * GTC 2026 * DLSS 5 * RAM Shortage * Bartlett Lake * Intel Xeon 600 * RAM Combo Deals 1. Software 2. Operating Systems GrapheneOS refuses to comply with new age verification laws for operating systems -- group says it will never require personal information News By Luke James published 22 March 2026 Doesn't care if its devices can't be sold in regions that require ID verification. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works. [wUuHeVd83r] * Copy link * Facebook * X * Whatsapp * Reddit * Pinterest * Flipboard * Email Share this article 25 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Get the Tom's Hardware Newsletter Get Tom's Hardware's best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. [ ] [ ] Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands [ ] Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors [Sign me up] --------------------------------------------------------------------- By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. You are now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful --------------------------------------------------------------------- An account already exists for this email address, please log in. [LOG IN] Subscribe to our newsletter GrapheneOS, the privacy-focused Android fork, said in a post on X on Friday that it will not comply with emerging laws requiring operating systems to collect user age data at setup. "GrapheneOS will remain usable by anyone around the world without requiring personal information, identification or an account," the project stated. "If GrapheneOS devices can't be sold in a region due to their regulations, so be it." GrapheneOS will remain usable by anyone around the world without requiring personal information, identification or an account. GrapheneOS and our services will remain available internationally. If GrapheneOS devices can't be sold in a region due to their regulations, so be it.March 20, 2026 Tom's Hardware Premium Roadmaps a snippet from the HBM roadmap article (Image credit: Future) * High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM) Roadmap * Nvidia Enterprise GPU and CPU Roadmap * AI accelerator Roadmap * Desktop GPU Roadmap * 3D NAND Roadmap The statement came after Brazil's Digital ECA (Law 15.211) took effect on March 17, imposing fines of up to R$50 million (roughly $9.5 million) per violation on operating system providers that fail to implement age verification. California's Digital Age Assurance Act (AB-1043), signed by Governor Newsom in October 2025, takes effect on January 1, 2027, and requires every OS provider to collect a user's age or date of birth during account setup and pipe that data to app stores and developers through a real-time API. Colorado's SB26-051 passed the state senate on March 3 with similar requirements. GrapheneOS is developed by the GrapheneOS Foundation, a registered Canadian nonprofit. None of these laws originate in Canada, but questions around jurisdiction remain open. U.S. federal prosecutors successfully extradited and convicted the developers of Samourai Wallet, a privacy-focused Bitcoin mixer, in a case where one defendant lived in Portugal. California's AB-1043 carries civil penalties of up to $2,500 per affected child for negligent violations and $7,500 for intentional ones, enforced by the state attorney general. Article continues below You may like * Steam cover art California introduces age verification law for all operating systems, including Linux and SteamOS -- user age verified during OS account setup * Andrew Ross Sorkin and Dario Amodei (L:R) speak onstage during The New York Times DealBook Summit 2025 at Jazz at Lincoln Center on December 03, 2025 in New York City. Anthropic refuses to lower AI guardrails for The Pentagon * Testing Vib-OS AI vibe-coded operating system is so bad it can't even run Doom Motorola and GrapheneOS announced a long-term partnership at MWC on March 2, to bring to bring the hardened OS to future Motorola hardware, ending GrapheneOS's long-standing exclusivity to Google Pixel devices. A GrapheneOS-powered Motorola phone is expected in 2027. If Motorola sells devices with GrapheneOS pre-installed, those devices would need to comply with local regulations in every market where they ship, or Motorola may need to restrict sales geographically. GrapheneOS isn't the first and won't be the last company to outright refuse compliance with incoming age verification laws. The developers of open-source calculator firmware DB48X issued a legal notice recently, stating that their software "does not, cannot and will not implement age verification," while MidnightBSD updated its license to ban users in Brazil. California's law doesn't require photo ID or biometric verification; users simply self-report their age during setup. Critics, including over 400 computer scientists who signed an open letter, have argued that the laws create surveillance infrastructure without meaningfully protecting children, since self-declaration is trivially bypassed. Google Preferred Source Follow Tom's Hardware on Google News, or add us as a preferred source , to get our latest news, analysis, & reviews in your feeds. Stay On the Cutting Edge: Get the Tom's Hardware Newsletter Get Tom's Hardware's best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. [ ][ ]Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands[ ]Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors[Sign me up] By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. See all comments (25) Luke James Luke James Social Links Navigation Contributor Luke James is a freelance writer and journalist. Although his background is in legal, he has a personal interest in all things tech, especially hardware and microelectronics, and anything regulatory. Read more Andrew Ross Sorkin and Dario Amodei (L:R) speak onstage during The New York Times DealBook Summit 2025 at Jazz at Lincoln Center on December 03, 2025 in New York City. Artificial Intelligence Anthropic refuses to lower AI guardrails for The Pentagon An official render of the Canon i-Sensys MF750, one of the printers impacted by these vulnerabilities. Tech Industry Norwegian gov't consumer watchdog calls out 'enshittification' of video games, connected devices, and others HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook ChromeOS Leaked images showcase Android's new Aluminum OS desktop interface Elon Musk, Grok 3.5, xAI Artificial Intelligence AI-generated sexual imagery to become criminal offense in the UK, following Ofcom's investigation into Grok Line up of 3D Printers 3D Printing Colorado law could force surveillance for 3D printers to prevent use for making gun parts Donald Trump and Jensen Huang speaking at a press conference. GPUs Former Chinese gaming company with China govt ties accused of smuggling banned AI GPUs Latest in Operating Systems Construction planning Windows Microsoft promises serious improvements to Windows 11 performance, reliability, and updates Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 5G Windows Microsoft and Samsung scramble to fix a major C: drive lockout bug on Galaxy devices DR DOS 9.0 beta Operating Systems 'Clean-room reimplementation' of DR-DOS hits early beta, modernizing the operating system 38 years after its debut GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition Linux Ubuntu 26.04 boosts performance by up to 12% on an RTX 5090 thanks to optimizations with Gnome 50 Testing Vib-OS Operating Systems AI vibe-coded operating system is so bad it can't even run Doom Windows 11 Windows Windows 11 continues gaining traction, nears 75% market share Latest in News a Waymo driverless taxi DRAM Micron predicts that cars will need 300GB of RAM TeraFab Tech Industry Elon Musk unveils $20 billion 'TeraFab' chip project to make chips, memory, and package processors all under one roof The FlyTrap attack Tech Industry California scientists 'FlyTrap attack' on DJI drones demonstrated a 3D printed rifle 3D Printing Two brothers convicted of running ghost gun factory that produced untraceable 3D printed firearms Intel Pentium A80501 66MHz SX950 Die Image CPUs Intel released its first Pentium chip on this day 33 years ago, came packing 3.1 million transistors Corsair Vengeance packing comparison RAM Corsair's limited-time memory sale brings 25% savings [ ] 25 Comments Comment from the forums * wolfferth we already know it's not about "age verification". everyone gets an inmate# and it's required to run the global bold project / spare parts live stock project. Reply * usertests wolfferth said: we already know it's not about "age verification". everyone gets an inmate# and it's required to run the global bold project / spare parts live stock project. Grim but true. Reply * LordVile wolfferth said: we already know it's not about "age verification". everyone gets an inmate# and it's required to run the global bold project / spare parts live stock project. Stop being silly Reply * Zaranthos They want a digital fingerprint on everything so they can track you from birth to death. We need a lot more "up yours" and bird flipping to the surveillance state. Reply * Notton Good for them. I just want to add AB-1043 has this written in it. "1798.500 (c) "Application" means a software application that may be run or directed by a user on a computer, a mobile device, or any other general purpose computing device that can access a covered application store or download an application." I'm sure dictionaries define a "Dictionary" as a dictionary too. Reply * LordVile Do does this mean if I install it on my phone they'd get fined? Reply * beyondlogic Let's be real if people just used parental controls on devices and actually learned to implement them instead of blaming every software company under the sun for there bad decisions we wouldn't have this nanny crap of id every website program under the sun lol. It's shocking how many parents don't even know there's parent controls on android and Xbox etc. ( As a parent myself most parent locks are robust Xbox/Nintendo) You can even lock the net off. Id systems are great when they work. but parents must be better informed. Reply * SomeoneElse23 Good for them. I may have to check them out now. Reply * jram79 Looks like I'm going to be a spry 175 year old in California and Colorado. Nice! Reply * skyy06 If got nothing to hide then you got nothing to fear, unless you are a child or a pedophile who refuses to verify Reply * View All 25 Comments Show more comments Tom's Hardware is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google * Terms and conditions * Contact Future's experts * Privacy policy * Cookies policy * Accessibility Statement * Advertise with us * About us * Coupons * Careers (c) Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.