Bluesky, a newer social media platform, is facing challenges such as government censorship, scam accounts, celebrity impersonation, propaganda, and backlash over controversial users. Despite these hurdles, the platform has seen rapid growth since the election, with nearly 25 million users. Bluesky has attracted activity from those leaving Elon Musk’s platform and is facing tough moderation decisions as a result.
One significant controversy involved journalist Jesse Singal, whose presence on Bluesky led to a petition calling for his removal due to his reporting on trans issues. Bluesky did not directly address the petition and stated they do not take down accounts based on off-platform activity. While Singal is now one of the most blocked users on Bluesky, most users appear to be staying on the platform.
Bluesky is also dealing with moderation issues like a surge in scam activity and an increase in cases of child sexual abuse material. The platform has been responsive in shutting down fraudulent accounts and addressing these issues. Bluesky’s unique approach to verifying accounts through domain verification presents both technical challenges and user education needs.
In addition to handling these challenges, Bluesky has also been blocked by censorship-prone governments like China and Pakistan. The platform is committed to supporting a free and open internet while balancing compliance with local laws. Despite facing various hurdles, Bluesky continues to grow in importance as a cultural and social media platform.
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