By Chris Hoffman
Publication Date: 2026-09-17 04:22:00
Windows 11 will soon ask for and remember your age so apps and sites know whether you’re an adult. That’s scary enough, but Microsoft is already on to the next step of making you prove your age, either by submitting a government ID or a selfie. To date, three US states have already passed laws forcing Windows and other operating systems to implement age checks of various forms.
In other news, Microsoft is taking a strong public stance against AI rights, publishing a code of conduct that’s sharply critical of how Anthropic is developing Claude. Additionally, Frank Shaw, Microsoft’s legendary head of communications, is leaving the company.
Read on for a look at what we know about Windows 11’s age verification scheme, how Microsoft is campaigning against legal personhood for AI, and my thoughts about the end of an era for Microsoft PR.
The Era of Age Verification Is Here (and Still Very Confusing)
OS-level age verification laws are having a moment. A California…
