From ISPs to Operating Systems: Who Controls Digital Access?

Age verification is shifting from service providers to operating systems themselves, with Apple implementing it on iOS and Systemd and Flatpak exploring it on Linux. This represents a critical pivot: companies are unilaterally adopting gatekeeping roles that anticipate regulations rather than respond to them. The change threatens user autonomy and raises fundamental questions about verification authority, trust mechanisms, and whether device manufacturers should control access to digital services.