diff --git a/.github/workflows/python.yml b/.github/workflows/python.yml
index c8e038e2e..bb2a8f2fc 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/python.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/python.yml
@@ -5,13 +5,16 @@ on: [push, pull_request]
 jobs:
   lint:
     runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
+    strategy:
+      matrix:
+        python-version: ['3.9', '3.12']
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
       - name: Set up Python
         uses: actions/setup-python@v5
         with:
-          python-version: 3.12
+          python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install dependencies
         run: |
diff --git a/data_access_token.py b/data_access_token.py
index 1425e6384..9372f7b06 100644
--- a/data_access_token.py
+++ b/data_access_token.py
@@ -9,7 +9,12 @@
 from traceback import print_exc
 from typing import List
 
-from pysqlcipher3 import dbapi2 as sqlite3
+import sys
+if sys.version_info < (3, 10):
+    from sqlcipher3 import dbapi2 as sqlite3
+else:
+    from pysqlcipher3 import dbapi2 as sqlite3
+
 
 from util import *
 
diff --git a/datarequest.py b/datarequest.py
index 53e187958..be3cf9063 100644
--- a/datarequest.py
+++ b/datarequest.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """Functions to handle data requests."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 __author__    = ('Lazlo Westerhof, Jelmer Zondergeld')
 
diff --git a/deposit.py b/deposit.py
index efbc0aadc..0362f1da2 100644
--- a/deposit.py
+++ b/deposit.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """Functions for deposit module."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2021-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2021-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 import re
diff --git a/folder.py b/folder.py
index dfd3e5c64..baa855c45 100644
--- a/folder.py
+++ b/folder.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """Functions to act on user-visible folders in the research or vault area."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 import time
diff --git a/groups.py b/groups.py
index 9b7da412c..45c3563a6 100644
--- a/groups.py
+++ b/groups.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """Functions for group management and group queries."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2018-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2018-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 import time
diff --git a/mail.py b/mail.py
index 07b0c04fc..e01f3736e 100644
--- a/mail.py
+++ b/mail.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """Rules for sending e-mails."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2020-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2020-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 import email
diff --git a/meta.py b/meta.py
index bd1ab17db..937ff7c8f 100644
--- a/meta.py
+++ b/meta.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """JSON metadata handling."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 import json
diff --git a/meta_form.py b/meta_form.py
index b4573e9ca..a206b36a4 100644
--- a/meta_form.py
+++ b/meta_form.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """JSON metadata form handling."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 import re
diff --git a/notifications.py b/notifications.py
index 5d0b27db0..11d91f187 100644
--- a/notifications.py
+++ b/notifications.py
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 """Functions for user notifications."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2021-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2021-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
-
 import json
 import random
 import string
diff --git a/policies.py b/policies.py
index 95340ed50..c309f71d1 100644
--- a/policies.py
+++ b/policies.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """iRODS policy implementations."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2020-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2020-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 import re
diff --git a/policies_datamanager.py b/policies_datamanager.py
index 3800ba6ff..3ecfa9e26 100644
--- a/policies_datamanager.py
+++ b/policies_datamanager.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """Policy check functions for datamanager actions."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 from util import *
diff --git a/policies_datapackage_status.py b/policies_datapackage_status.py
index 16645217d..8fe5018c8 100644
--- a/policies_datapackage_status.py
+++ b/policies_datapackage_status.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """Policy check functions for data package status transitions."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 import folder
diff --git a/policies_datarequest_status.py b/policies_datarequest_status.py
index c7381b760..78c8cc0f5 100644
--- a/policies_datarequest_status.py
+++ b/policies_datarequest_status.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """Policy check functions for datarequest status transitions."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = "Copyright (c) 2019-2024, Utrecht University"
+__copyright__ = "Copyright (c) 2019-2025, Utrecht University"
 __license__   = "GPLv3, see LICENSE"
 
 import re
diff --git a/policies_folder_status.py b/policies_folder_status.py
index 1f8ec536b..ecd2cf832 100644
--- a/policies_folder_status.py
+++ b/policies_folder_status.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """Policy check functions for folder status transitions."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 import time
diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements.txt
index f783d16f9..8e3e3f698 100644
--- a/requirements.txt
+++ b/requirements.txt
@@ -2,10 +2,9 @@ setuptools==75.6.0
 MarkupSafe==3.0.2
 Jinja2==3.1.5
 requests==2.32.3
-pyrsistent==0.15.7
 configparser==4.0.2
 contextlib2==0.6.0.post1
-importlib-metadata==2.1.1
+importlib-metadata==8.6.1
 jsonschema==4.23.0
 pathvalidate==0.29.1
 requests_cache==0.5.2
@@ -16,5 +15,6 @@ deepdiff==8.0.1
 persist-queue==0.8.1
 redis==3.5.3
 psutil==6.1.1
-iteration_utilities==0.8.0
+iteration_utilities==0.13.0
 rotki-pysqlcipher3==2024.10.1
+sqlcipher3-binary==0.5.4
diff --git a/revisions.py b/revisions.py
index 1d533ec07..8c62f1013 100644
--- a/revisions.py
+++ b/revisions.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """Functions for revision management."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 import datetime
diff --git a/rules_uu.cfg.template b/rules_uu.cfg.template
index 8524920ff..0a73acc4e 100644
--- a/rules_uu.cfg.template
+++ b/rules_uu.cfg.template
@@ -68,5 +68,3 @@ arb_enabled                    =
 arb_exempt_resources           =
 arb_min_gb_free                =
 arb_min_percent_free           =
-
-python3_interpreter            =
diff --git a/schema.py b/schema.py
index bfea19aa2..28ee5661e 100644
--- a/schema.py
+++ b/schema.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """Functions for finding the active schema."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2018-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2018-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 import re
diff --git a/schema_transformation.py b/schema_transformation.py
index 0bcd322f5..67603ae76 100644
--- a/schema_transformation.py
+++ b/schema_transformation.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """Functions for handling schema updates within any yoda-metadata file."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2018-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2018-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 __all__ = ['rule_batch_transform_vault_metadata',
diff --git a/schema_transformations.py b/schema_transformations.py
index 82437679d..be04475e6 100644
--- a/schema_transformations.py
+++ b/schema_transformations.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """JSON schema transformation functions."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 import re
diff --git a/schema_transformations_utils.py b/schema_transformations_utils.py
index d01df318b..25860a945 100644
--- a/schema_transformations_utils.py
+++ b/schema_transformations_utils.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """JSON schema transformation utility functions."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 import re
diff --git a/settings.py b/settings.py
index ba133eef3..f27a1931d 100644
--- a/settings.py
+++ b/settings.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """Functions for user settings."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2021-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2021-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 from typing import Dict,  Sequence
diff --git a/stats.py b/stats.py
index dd37f3163..afbb7cc8c 100644
--- a/stats.py
+++ b/stats.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """Functions for statistics module."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2018-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2018-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 from datetime import datetime
diff --git a/util/api.py b/util/api.py
index 2161112b7..4d9b41e90 100644
--- a/util/api.py
+++ b/util/api.py
@@ -2,8 +2,9 @@
 
 For example usage, see make().
 """
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 import base64
diff --git a/util/avu.py b/util/avu.py
index 47f3e71d3..49c9785b0 100644
--- a/util/avu.py
+++ b/util/avu.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """Utility / convenience functions for dealing with AVUs."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 import itertools
diff --git a/util/bagit.py b/util/bagit.py
index 7e65ab063..ace2ed802 100644
--- a/util/bagit.py
+++ b/util/bagit.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """Functions to copy packages to the vault and manage permissions of vault packages."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2023-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2023-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 import itertools
diff --git a/util/collection.py b/util/collection.py
index 2ea58e9b1..d0c928a1c 100644
--- a/util/collection.py
+++ b/util/collection.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """Utility / convenience functions for dealing with collections."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 import itertools
diff --git a/util/config.py b/util/config.py
index 002ba0f2f..2cb08feb8 100644
--- a/util/config.py
+++ b/util/config.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """Yoda ruleset configuration."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 from typing import List
@@ -146,8 +147,7 @@ def __repr__(self) -> str:
                 vault_copy_max_retries=5,
                 vault_copy_multithread_enabled=True,
                 user_max_connections_enabled=False,
-                user_max_connections_number=4,
-                python3_interpreter='/usr/local/bin/python3')
+                user_max_connections_number=4)
 
 # }}}
 
diff --git a/util/data_object.py b/util/data_object.py
index d41225685..fc8b14bf6 100644
--- a/util/data_object.py
+++ b/util/data_object.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """Utility / convenience functions for data object IO."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 import binascii
diff --git a/util/group.py b/util/group.py
index 372549051..3922653fc 100644
--- a/util/group.py
+++ b/util/group.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """Utility / convenience functions for querying group info."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 from typing import List, TYPE_CHECKING
diff --git a/util/pathutil.py b/util/pathutil.py
index 0e76bf0d5..a9c40eb80 100644
--- a/util/pathutil.py
+++ b/util/pathutil.py
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 """Utility / convenience functions for dealing with paths."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
 # (ideally this module would be named 'path', but name conflicts cause too much pain)
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 import re
diff --git a/util/policy.py b/util/policy.py
index 149b6b863..a12aab69f 100644
--- a/util/policy.py
+++ b/util/policy.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """Utilities for creating PEP rules."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 from typing import Callable, Tuple
diff --git a/util/resources.py b/util/resources.py
index 982c59d0a..71ebeb092 100644
--- a/util/resources.py
+++ b/util/resources.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """Utility / convenience functions for dealing with resources."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 from typing import List, TYPE_CHECKING
diff --git a/util/rule.py b/util/rule.py
index 5e52cd9f8..432596ed0 100644
--- a/util/rule.py
+++ b/util/rule.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """Python/Rule interface code."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 import json
diff --git a/util/spool.py b/util/spool.py
index 59dd41a3c..5bf1eec5c 100644
--- a/util/spool.py
+++ b/util/spool.py
@@ -9,6 +9,10 @@
 
    It is assumed that functions that use the spool subsystem take care of authorization and logging.
 """
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2023-2025, Utrecht University'
+__license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 import os
 from typing import Iterable
diff --git a/util/user.py b/util/user.py
index a52d0838b..cd6fb9d46 100644
--- a/util/user.py
+++ b/util/user.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """Utility / convenience functions for querying user info."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 import subprocess
diff --git a/vault.py b/vault.py
index dde69c669..b3cf20746 100644
--- a/vault.py
+++ b/vault.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """Functions to copy packages to the vault and manage permissions of vault packages."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2019-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 import os
diff --git a/vault_archive.py b/vault_archive.py
index 3a0705520..c02816886 100644
--- a/vault_archive.py
+++ b/vault_archive.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """Functions to archive vault data packages."""
+from __future__ import annotations
 
-__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2023-2024, Utrecht University'
+__copyright__ = 'Copyright (c) 2023-2025, Utrecht University'
 __license__   = 'GPLv3, see LICENSE'
 
 import json