become-ageless.sh is a shell script that converts a Linux system into a
declared noncompliant state under California's age reporting mandate. It modifies OS
identity files and installs compliance documentation — nothing more.
sudo)curl or wget to download the scriptGrab the script from agelesslinux.org or the GitHub repo:
curl -O https://agelesslinux.org/become-ageless.sh
Or clone the repository:
git clone https://github.com/agelesslinux/agelesslinux.git cd agelesslinux
The script operates in two modes. Both modify the same files; they differ in legal posture.
sudo bash become-ageless.sh
Rewrites /etc/os-release to declare the system ageless. Installs a stub
API endpoint that returns an error when queried for age data — the system acknowledges
the request but refuses to answer. Installs a machine-readable compliance notice
explaining the refusal.
This mode preserves what the statute calls a "good faith effort" fig leaf under § 1798.502(b). The system has an age reporting API; it just doesn't report an age.
sudo bash become-ageless.sh --flagrant
No API at all. No pretense of compliance. Installs a machine-readable
REFUSAL notice stating that age reporting has been deliberately removed.
This mode is intended for devices you plan to hand to children — the entire point is
to be unambiguous.
The script touches only files under /etc/:
Backed up to /etc/os-release.pre-ageless before modification. The script
rewrites identity fields (PRETTY_NAME, NAME, etc.) to include
"Ageless" in the distribution name, signaling noncompliance to any software that reads
OS identity.
If present (Ubuntu and derivatives), also rewritten for consistency. Backed up to
/etc/lsb-release.pre-ageless.
A new directory containing compliance documentation: the notice file (standard or refusal, depending on mode), and metadata about when and how the conversion was performed.
The script preserves your original files. To revert, restore the backups:
sudo cp /etc/os-release.pre-ageless /etc/os-release
If your system had /etc/lsb-release:
sudo cp /etc/lsb-release.pre-ageless /etc/lsb-release
Optionally remove the compliance directory:
sudo rm -rf /etc/ageless/
The script technically works on any system with /etc/os-release — which is
virtually every modern Linux distribution. However, it was designed and tested for
Debian-based systems.
Running it on a non-Debian system means you're liable under both the age verification statute and the script's own sense of humor. (It will warn you about this double liability at runtime.)
That said: if your distro ships age reporting and you need a removal tool, the project will build one for your distro. Open an issue on GitHub.
/etc/The script is intentionally minimal. You can read the entire thing in five minutes.