Age Verification in Linux, systemd Troubleshooting Tools, Graphene Phone, Longer Linux LTS Kernels and More

Age Verification Laws Spark Privacy Concerns Across Tech Platforms

U.S. states are rapidly advancing age-verification laws that, on the surface, appear designed to protect minors online. However, critics argue that the fine print reveals a far more invasive reality. Colorado, for instance, is pushing for operating systems to transmit age data to every installed app, while California has already enacted similar legislation. As governments embed age checks deeper into apps and operating systems, what began as a safety measure is increasingly being perceived as a form of surveillance.

This trend isn’t confined to the United States. Reports indicate that Brazil is also moving toward comparable regulations. While such models may align with tightly controlled ecosystems like Apple and Microsoft, where operating systems are closely tied to online accounts, the Linux world operates quite differently. Nevertheless, developers from projects such as Fedora and Ubuntu are already discussing how these requirements might impact Linux.

The FOSS Weekly team will continue to monitor how this situation develops.

Additional Highlights from This Edition:

• Extended support for certain Linux kernels.
• Systemd troubleshooting tools.
• Xfce customization tips.
• Microsoft’s frustration over the nickname “Microslop.”
• A quick LibreOffice tip.
• Launch of a new consortium to unify the Arm software ecosystem.
• And more Linux news, tips, and, of course, memes!

AI and Open Source News:

The web’s most popular UI library, React, has transitioned out of Meta’s ownership and is now governed by the Linux Foundation. This move ensures neutral governance, with eight platinum members on board and technical decisions made independently.

Arm software’s complexity has led to the launch of CoreCollective, a free membership initiative aimed at addressing fragmentation. Major players like AMD, Google, Microsoft, and Red Hat are already involved.

Linux LTS kernel support windows have been extended. Linux 6.6 and 6.12 now receive four years of support, up from the two-year window established in 2023. This change followed discussions with companies and maintainers.

AI’s growing demand for RAM has stalled another hardware project. Orange Pi and Manjaro spent two years developing a Linux gaming handheld, cleared regulatory approvals, and prepared for launch—only to hit pause due to skyrocketing DDR5 chip prices.

Motorola has partnered with the GrapheneOS Foundation, a collaboration announced at MWC 2026. The two organizations plan to work together on research, software improvements, and new security features. GrapheneOS is an Android distribution that eliminates Google’s data collection layer, making it a favorite among privacy-conscious users.

In a lighter note, Microsoft recently locked down its Discord server after users persistently referred to it as “Microslop.”

What We’re Thinking About:

Ubuntu often faces significant criticism within the Linux community, from Snap-related complaints to Canonical’s decisions. However, the level of animosity toward Ubuntu may be disproportionate. Ubuntu might not deserve nearly as much hate as it receives.

Linux Tips, Tutorials, and Learnings:

When troubleshooting on Linux, systemd already has the information you need. Use systemctl to see which services crashed, journalctl for error messages, and systemd-analyze to identify boot time bottlenecks. coredumpctl retains snapshots of completely failed applications.

For those with old PCs or Raspberry Pis gathering dust, Batocera, Lakka, and RetroPie can transform them into plug-and-play retro gaming consoles via USB or SD card.

A handy LibreOffice tip: if a document contains numerous images and you need to save multiple or all of them, save the document as an HTML in a new folder. All images will be extracted automatically.

The team is also developing a “Linux Mint Starter Pack” series for beginners. In the meantime, consider getting familiar with the Linux command line.

AI, Homelab, and Hardware Corner:

If you’re tired of your photos being used to train AI models, PhotoPrism offers a self-hosted alternative. This tool runs locally on Docker, providing face recognition and tagging capabilities while keeping your data under your control.

Apps and Projects Highlights:

A Czech developer has created a data center simulation game where players rack servers and run cables. While there’s no native Linux support, the game is playable with some frame rate issues.

Videos for You:

Xfce can be customized to look more attractive. A video tutorial demonstrates how to achieve this.

Quick Handy Tip:

Brave browser allows users to set a shortcut for copying the current tab’s URL. Navigate to Brave Settings -> System -> Shortcuts, search for “Copy URL,” and assign a keybind. Note that assigning CTRL+SHIFT+C will overwrite the default inspect function, so choose a non-conflicting shortcut. If your browser doesn’t support this feature, use CTRL+L to access the address bar, then CTRL+C to copy the URL.

Don’t Miss: Linux eBook Bundle:

Humble Bundle has revived its “Linux for Seasoned Admins” ebook bundle. This collection includes classics like the Linux Pocket Guide and “Efficient Linux at the Command Line,” along with ebooks on Docker, Ansible, Kubernetes, and other DevOps aspects of Linux. Purchases support the Code for America initiative.

Fun in the FOSSverse:

Test your knowledge with a crossword puzzle and see if you can become the Daemon Hunter.

Meme of the Week:

The struggles of Arch and Gentoo users are real.

Tech Trivia:

On March 1, 1960, the first LISP Programmer’s Manual was released by John McCarthy’s team at MIT. McCarthy developed a recursive, symbolic language that became foundational to AI programming and has outlasted nearly every other high-level language from its era.

From the Community:

Discussions are ongoing about upcoming secure boot changes and how they might affect Linux users.

Tags: age verification, privacy, surveillance, Linux, React, CoreCollective, kernel support, AI, RAM, GrapheneOS, Ubuntu, systemd, troubleshooting, Xfce, Microsoft, Microslop, LibreOffice, PhotoPrism, data center simulation, Brave browser, ebook bundle, Code for America, Daemon Hunter, Arch Linux, Gentoo, LISP, secure boot

Viral Phrases: age verification laws, privacy concerns, surveillance in disguise, React Foundation, CoreCollective launch, extended kernel support, AI RAM appetite, Motorola GrapheneOS partnership, Microslop controversy, Ubuntu hate, systemd troubleshooting, Xfce customization, PhotoPrism self-hosting, data center sim game, Brave URL shortcut, Linux ebook bundle, Daemon Hunter crossword, Arch Gentoo meme, LISP history, secure boot changes

,