The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
On April 21, 2026, AlmaLinux OS Foundation board chair benny Vasquez said the project would “wait and see” how California’s Digital Age Assurance Act (AB 1043) played out. That was AlmaLinux’s position at the time—not a claim that the law could never apply. A subsequent development may change the picture: a report published August 29 said California lawmakers had passed AB 1856, which would carve out qualifying open-source software, and sent it to Governor Gavin Newsom. The available status information does not establish that the governor signed it.
What does California’s AB 1043 mean for AlmaLinux?
AlmaLinux’s public position was to monitor the law’s implementation, possible court challenges, and decisions by Fedora and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). In his April 21, 2026 statement, Vasquez wrote: “Our current plan is straightforward: we are going to wait and see how this plays out.” AlmaLinux OS Foundation’s statement said the project did not believe immediate action was required at that time.
AlmaLinux described itself as a downstream distribution whose response would be influenced by Fedora and RHEL. It also assessed that AB 1043 appeared aimed primarily at commercial platforms with centralized app distribution and account management, rather than community-driven Linux distributions. That is the Foundation’s view, not a definitive legal ruling.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →What did AB 1043 originally require?
California’s AB 1043 bill text established an age-signal framework involving covered operating system providers, application stores, and developers. At account setup, the system asks an account holder to indicate the device user’s date of birth, age, or both. A real-time signal can then provide a requesting application developer with the user’s age bracket.
#1 Best Overall
- Easy Setup - Features a quick, hassle-free installation. Just plug it in, and you’re ready to verify IDs in minutes, with no additional equipment required.
- Fast & Accurate ID Scanning - Scans IDs from all 50 states, Canadian provinces, Military IDs, and optional passports. Fast operation with 1-second scans. Motion-activated scanning allows for one-handed operation with no button press needed. Automatically calculates age with intuitive icons. Notifications for underage, expired IDs and barcode detective status, with customizable age verification for age-restricted products based on jurisdiction. Optional features include customer banning, photo capture, and Anti-passback.
- Loyalty Tracking - Tracks customer visit count directly on the screen, providing valuable information to identify new clients or frequent visitors who may pose less of a security risk.
- Advanced Fake ID Detection - Includes two features; a free subscription to Barcode Detective, which uses hidden barcode data to detect fake IDs. Advanced checks identify typos, jumbled info, misplaced data, and secret codes and a DMVCheck, a pay-per-use service that verifies scanned IDs with issuing DMVs in 40+ states.
- No Ongoing Fees - Lifetime software upgrades and complimentary US-based phone/email support included. No subscription fees required
The four minimum brackets in the act are:
- Under 13
- 13–15
- 16–17
- 18 or older
This is an age-information and bracket-signaling framework; the bill text does not, by itself, describe a requirement to inspect identity documents. AB 1043 was signed in 2025, and its requirements were scheduled to become operative January 1, 2027. The governor’s October 13, 2025 announcement listed AB 1043 among the signed child-safety bills.
How could AB 1856 change the law’s reach?
A Tom’s Hardware report dated August 29, 2026 said both legislative chambers had passed AB 1856 and sent it to the governor. The report described the amendment as redefining “operating system provider” to exclude a person or entity distributing an operating system or application under license terms that allow recipients to copy, redistribute, and modify the software. It said this language would exempt many open-source systems, including Debian, Fedora, Ubuntu, and Arch.
Rank #2
- FREE 5"" x 7"" ID Scanning Notice Included – Every Minor Decliner scanner includes a durable vinyl decal to display at your entrance or point of sale. Alerts customers that IDs are scanned and verified to help deter underage sales, fake IDs, and fraud.
- Unlimited Standard ID Scanning — Always Free - Instantly verifies age and expiration on every scan and automatically creates a compliance log - Eliminates math mistakes and protects your business during inspections.
- Optional On-Demand Fake ID Detection — 90%+ Accuracy - True fake ID detection powered by Forensic Barcode Scan industry-leading authentication technology. Analyzes encrypted barcode data against a live security database - Includes 6 free fake checks to try it out. After that, simply purchase scan credits. You only pay when you choose to run a fake check. Unlimited fake scans are not available.
- Plug-In Power ONLY - Operates continuously when connected to a standard outlet. Designed for fixed countertop use — not a portable or handheld unit. No batteries in this system.
- Quick & Simple Operation – Just scan the barcode on the back of any U.S. driver's license or state-issued ID. Results appear in less than a second, clearly identifying underage or expired IDs.
The same report described other changes involving non-standalone software components distributed through package managers, extensions and add-ons running only inside a host application, limits on requests for age signals, and a good-faith safe harbor for erroneous signals. Those details are the report’s account of the amendment; the final legal effect depends on the enacted text and status.
The official California AB 1856 status page does not provide readable status detail in the information available here. Accordingly, AB 1856’s passage and submission to the governor are reported developments; its signature or chaptering is not established here. The report also identified SteamOS as uncertain because its base is open source while Valve distributes it alongside the proprietary Steam client. Its status should not be treated as settled on this evidence.
Rank #3
- Fast and Accurate Scanning: Scans 2D barcode and magnetic stripe ID and drivers license cards in U.S. and Canada with speed and precision
- Quick Age Verification Display: Provides instant age and expiration status display with a backlight for easy visibility
- Easy and Ergonomic Design: Compact, portable, and stand alone device with no user training required; plug and play functionality
- Compliance Reporting Capability: Memory can be disabled or enabled providing due diligence reporting with free compliance software included
- Affordable with No Hidden Costs: Comes standard with all accessories and compliance software; free ID updates for the life of the device with no hidden fees or subscriptions
Will Linux distributions have to collect users’ ages?
There is no single answer for every distribution based on the information available. Under AB 1043 as originally enacted, the key question was whether a provider fell within the law’s definitions and obligations. AlmaLinux said it was watching upstream decisions and possible legal challenges; the later AB 1856 report described a license-based carve-out that could exempt qualifying open-source distributions if it became law in the reported form.
For AlmaLinux specifically, the April 2026 statement remains a dated account of its position, while AB 1856 is a later and potentially significant development. The available status information does not establish whether that amendment became law, and the report does not settle every distribution’s status. The reported SteamOS uncertainty illustrates why the licensing and distribution details may matter.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- TokenWorks IDVisor Smart Plus reads Passports & Drivers License/IDs from all 50 states, Canadian provinces, and their Military IDs. Fast operation - 1 second per scan. 12+ hour battery operation, 350+ standby time. LIFETIME SOFTWARE UPDATES and complementary US-based phone/email support.
- Calculates Age Automatically - Intuitive Icons, Vibration & Human voice warnings. Notifications for Underage & ExpiredExpeired ID; Pop-Up alerts for Underage, Passback (Looping), Tagged. Challenge questions (Zodiac sign, state capital/motto, area code etc), customizable age verification for age restricted products depending on the jurisdiction.
- VIP/Banned Software – Tag customers with custom categories with expiration dates, add notes such as “VIP, banned started a fight, owes money, etc”. 6 expiration. FIND MY DEVICE- Through GPS locate your scanner, lock/erase its data remotely and see the scanner on Google Maps
- Customer Relationship Management: Highlights New vs Repeating Clients. Scan Count tracks Venue Occupancy & time of visit for Covide tracking. Options for manual email & phone numbers. Easily assign "Loyalty Membership" with the press of a button. Export Scan/Customer records in Excel Format through WiFi or USB. Optional Upload/Download records from a cloud networking available for multiple devices - IDVisor Sync database through WiFi or USB export/import.
- Price / Performance Leader – We dare you to Compare
Rank #4
- SCAN AND VALIDATE: With IDetect, age verification and drivers license authentication get validated within seconds! Our smart ID document scanner is ideal for bars, membership clubs or any business where instant ID checks are required. It quickly reads, records and calculates an age for IDs from all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, and many other countries while maintaining a satisfactory customer relationship but does not detect Holograms and Watermarks.
- PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS: When an ID card is scanned, the IDetect screen pops up on the POS (or PC) screen notifying immediately if the identification card is tampered with, banned, on a watch list or shared with another patron. This USB barcode scanner optionally takes and stores the picture of the patron, then automatically returns back to the screen before the scan is done. (It does not stop all fake IDs but does provide 100% diligence proof.)
- DURABLE & EASY-TO-USE - Our ID card scanner is durable and reliable enough for high volume environments such as in hospitals, banks and busy points of sale. Made up of premium quality material, it is all in one ID scanner for bars and clubs (and more), which comes with a USB cable and Smart-ID scanning software. It is easy to install and scan on your tablets, laptops, PCs, and various other POS systems.
- INSTANT OUT OF THE BOX USE - IDetect handheld scanner is ready to use as you take it out of the box. It easily gets configured with various equipment via USB. Age indicators and audible warnings make understanding information simple and easy! Our kit includes a USB cable, PC software with free updates and support. Works with all Windows based POS systems. Free USB converter available for use with tablets (just contact us!).
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
