Fork time? Maybe all the anti-systemd zealots were right all along…
Edit: To address whether it is likely that this change will affect users: Gnome is planning a stronger dependence on userdb, the part of systemd where this change is being implemented. https://blogs.gnome.org/adrianvovk/2025/06/10/gnome-systemd-dependencies/
Final Edit: The PR has been merged into main.
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/glowie
I mean, I literally say that implementing actual verification would be an invasion of privacy. Storing data isn’t the problem, because we do that any way. This isn’t any different from the fields for your real name or location, which nobody gives a fuck about either. At least systemd are talking about ways to secure that data, whether to add a separate flag or save some CPU cycles before wiping it from memory and such.
If you force me to enter something, that’s definitely shady. If you force me to verify that information, we’re in “fuck no, fuck you, fuck this surveillance bullshit” territory.
But getting upset about this optional field in particular, but not any other data storage option, is hypocritical. Worse still, getting upset at the one effort to provide a standard that also makes some attempt at securing it is short-sighted. We have a hundred ways to store data. Cancelling one won’t stop the root issue:
Collecting that data. Fuck that law, fuck the people that wrote it, fuck the people that passed it, fuck the people forcing you to surrender PII for plain bullshit reasons and fuck the people implementing those surveillance methods. That is worth raging about.
Hey I’m not gonna disagree. I just provided an answer to what that person meant about “glowing”.
I’ll add another link that you might want to consider though: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anticipatory_obedience
You’re right, and thanks for that and the second link too.
Still, as “bowing to fascist fuckery” goes, trying to figure out how to securely store a piece of data is hardly problematic. The Flatpak PR they cite also mentions that they wanted options for parental controls independently of the law, and it’s that part I’d be more concerned about, but still less than about the “upload your ID please, promise we won’t pull any fuckery with it- whoops” shit going on elsewhere.
You are correct but every little barrier helps.
Hate to just keep throwing out links to Wikipedia but … these techniques have been used to some success in the fight against fascism before.
It is much better if Linux and systemd say “oh gosh we’re not ready to implement that for at least another 2-3 years and even then only in preliminary implementations” instead of “yes sir right away sir we have that all ready to go at a moments notice, let me put that boot of yours right down my own throat”