[xorxarle]

Surely this just isn't even practical, even if it does pass... if the filter has to be installed on the end user device it will be widely known how to bypass it. Why do people even write these rediculous things (the bills in question).

[russdill]

Don't forget that most new phones have locked bootloaders and cryptographically secure boot processes. If lawmakers required manufactures put a piece of software on every phone, it would be technically possible and very difficult to bypass.

[ball_of_lint]

What about phones that have already been bought? You can easily get a phone today that runs an open source OS and boatloader: As bad as this bill may be, I doubt they could justify confiscating all of them, but short of that there is no way to enforce that law.

Similarly with computers - with a law like this in place Linux cannot exist.

[russdill]

It's not about controlling all the people, it's about controlling a significant percentage of people.

[Santosh83]

Just to legitimise it in public perception is still a big win for wannabe tyrants. That's a good first step upon which they can incrementally build on and tighten the screws, just like the anti-piracy groups have done. So it's not at all ridiculous. It's devious, and a cunning attempt to gauge how apathetic the public are to their own freedoms.

[xorxarle]

That was a serious question. Why write a bill like this? Who gains from it?