> the facts are simply that the systemd users database has gained an optional "date of birth" field, which the desktop environments may use or not as they deem

> the facts are simply that the systemd users database has gained an optional "date of birth" field, which the desktop environments may use or not as they deem appropriate OK, we knew this, but why have a field that the article indicates "will not be used" ? The field is there so eventually it will be populated and must be populated for these applications to query to comply with the various laws. So this goes back to "Linux will store personal info", and my feeling this information will expand as "Age Laws" are enhanced. Distros should completely ignore these laws. And again, why is the Linux Foundation quiet on this issue ? And to add to this, if the field is there, we all know Firefox will look to validate it for meta and friends. That could mean in order to use Firefox, non-systemd distros will be forced to install systemd or a big piece of it.