Illinois just told every operating system to start reporting your kid's age

Illinois has enacted HB5511, requiring all operating system providers and device makers to implement age verification systems by January 2028, with apps required to enforce child safety restrictions by July 2028—creating significant compliance obligations and potential $50,000 penalties for non-compliance. IT organizations must prepare for mandatory integration of age-bracket APIs across devices and applications, new data collection and encryption requirements, and coordinated enforcement with state attorneys general across multiple states pursuing similar legislation. Unlike Colorado and California, Illinois's law lacks open-source exemptions, potentially forcing IT departments to redesign how they support diverse platforms while managing privacy, compliance, and architecture challenges.