The developers of the Arch Linux 32 project, a fork from Arch Linux that supports 32-bit systems, have taken the decision to block access from Brazil due to concerns about potential fines for violating the country’s age verification law. This project, created by enthusiasts lacking the necessary resources to comply with the new law, made the move to block Brazilian subnets to avoid the risk of closure due to fines.
As a result of this decision, individuals attempting to access the project’s website, forums, downloads, and wiki from Brazilian subnets will now encounter a page informing them of the access block. Additionally, there may be difficulties accessing the project’s pacman repositories from Brazilian subnets. It is important to note that the Arch Linux 32 project is an independent fork, not affiliated with Arch Linux, and was established in 2017 after Arch Linux discontinued support for 32-bit x86 systems.
The MidnightBSD project has also taken steps in response to the new Brazilian law. Their download page now includes a notice stating that as of March 17, 2026, Brazilian citizens are prohibited from using MidnightBSD due to the age verification law. The developers cite financial constraints as the reason for their inability to comply with the law’s requirements, as MidnightBSD is not a commercial entity.
Introduced on March 17 in Brazil, Law 15.211/2025 “Digital ECA” enforces restrictions on minors’ access to digital content. Unlike a similar law in California, the Brazilian legislation imposes more severe fines and stricter guidelines. Possible penalties include fines up to 10 percent of annual revenue or from 10 to 1,000 reais ($2-200) per user, not exceeding 50 million reais ($13 million) if no revenue is generated.
The law mandates that operating system manufacturers and app stores implement robust age verification measures that surpass a simple user declaration of being over 18 years old. Acceptable verification methods include document verification and authentication through authorized services. Moreover, operating systems must provide APIs for applications to access age data and support parental control features for monitoring