If you’re in the Microsoft, Apple, or Google OS ecosystem, or use one of the appstores, it’s likely they already have this age information, or could verify it via indirect means (credit card checks, public records, etc).

If you have set up a family plan, then they already know the age of the children to enable access to appstores.

What the OS will do is likely store some sort of validated token or system level cookie that says “adult = true” and we’ll never even hear about it. My guess is Unix-based distros will do it too and avoid having to piss-off customers by implementing third-party attestation, or worse, per website.

The reason the European systems had to ask for a third-party verification system with you having to upload IDs and all that was exactly because the OS didn’t do this. Now, it’s going to be done once (and not require any user interaction) and that will be that.

Personally, if implemented properly, I think it’s a much better system than having them upload private data to some nebulous third party. That’s a big IF. They could cock it up and make everyone upload face scans and pictures of IDs. In which case we’ll be back to rubber masks and stupid override games we’ve seen.