Bit of a left-field PSA this, but… if you own an iPhone/iPad in the UK and:
- you DON'T own a credit card
- you DON'T have a driving license
- you have NOT had your Apple account for more than 18 years
…don't upgrade to iOS 26.4 if you want to install (or some cases, use) 17+ rated apps or stream 18+ films/tv on itvX, netflix, etc.
The update adds mandatory OS-level age verification to meet UK law and Apple doesn't currently accept passports (!) to prove age.
@omgubuntu the final, most concrete and tech loyalist agnostic reason to never buy an apple device and wow, it's a big one
I know google will likely do this too but at least you don't need an account, have more control of the updates and can freeze/remove play services on android devices
@viralobscurity @omgubuntu while I agree with the sentiment, no part of it will help with the issues described in the original post.
Media gatekeeping is worse than US cable media of decades earlier already and apps will be affected the same on android, play services or not. And while there is a way to get play store apps with a #degoogled OS like with #microG, the age verification framework will hit stern resistance with the userbase and apps will probably just not work.
Impractical for most.
omg! ubuntu
Viral Obscurity
Barbarossa