IDAD 2026: July 17, 2026
This year's annual day in protest of Digital Restrictions Management (DRM) will be on July 17, 2026. We're calling on you to stand up for freedom 0 and contact your local representatives, urging them to reject age verification legislation. Such measures are among the most serious threats the free digital society has ever faced, and opens the door to a "surveillance regime." It is fundamentally incompatible with a user's freedom -- and is impossible to do effectively without Digital Restrictions Management (DRM).
Many people have already been exposed to age verification techniques online, whether it's while making a purchase or elsewhere. When done in a way that respects a user's freedom and privacy, there's nothing particularly objectionable about these measures. In some cases, there very well may be good reason to prevent minors from accessing certain materials online. But that does not (and will never) mean that this technology should be baked into software. There is no situation in which it is appropriate. Curtailing computing freedom like this is an extremely dangerous precedent to set.
As this is the International Day Against DRM, we're asking activists all over the world to do what's effective: calling your local representative to let them know about the dangers of this kind of legislation. If you hold your own private action, we'd love to hear about it.
How to participate
Stand up against the GUARD Act and contact your local senator via the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121. Recommended instructions for other countries to follow soon.
Organize your own event for IDAD and let us know about it. We can promote it on social media and with any local FSF/DBD supporters.
Challenge yourself to go a "Day without DRM," and refuse to engage with media peddled by Disney+, Amazon, Peacock, and others that don't respect your digital autonomy. If you need help, be sure to check out our Guide to DRM-free Living.
Are you an organization or project interested in supporting IDAD?
We're looking for vendors of DRM-free media, organizations that support the building of a DRM-free world, and those who believe in the mission of Defective by Design to participate by offering sales, writing blog posts, organizing events, and sharing with your members about IDAD. Please contact us at info@defectivebydesign.org for more information.
Together, we can build a future without DRM.