Social media platform Bluesky succumbs to censorship pressure from Turkey, yet manages to maintain some form of operational autonomy
Ready, Set, Reboot!
Straying from the Social Media Status Quo
Stepping into the digital limelight, Bluesky, theDitched-X alternative, has been experiencing a surge of popularity. Folks are yearning for a social media platform that isn't run by a self-absorbed billionaire, but rather, by the people and for the people. Unfortunately, this week without warning, Bluesky succumbed to the demands of the Turkish government, a disheartening move for a platform that's established its USP on freedom and openness.
According to a recent report, Bluesky has restricted access to 72 accounts within Turkey after government pressure. Turkish officials justified this censorship due to "national security and public order" concerns, as described by TechCrunch.
The identity of the account operators and the reasons behind the government's apprehension remain shrouded in mystery. The account deactivations were first reported by the Freedom of Expression Association, a Turkish NGO focusing on civil liberties. When reached out to for comment, Bluesky remained tight-lipped.
Interestingly, due to Bluesky's decentralized structure and affiliation with the Fediverse, there seems to be a loophole for the Turkish users who've been booted off the site. Because Bluesky isn't just a standalone microblogging platform but also a part of a semi-decentralized ecosystem of sites, the censored users may find solace in this expansive network. These sites, collectively known as "the Atmosphere," operate through the AT Protocol, which was developed by Bluesky Social PBC. They can be accessed online or via apps like Skywalker, Skeets, and Roomy.
Born from the mind of former Twitter influencer Jack Dorsey, Bluesky first saw the light of day with funding from Twitter – to the tune of $13 million. Conceptualized during Dorsey's tenure at Twitter, he eventually stepped away from the project, leaving CEO Jay Graber to steer the ship.
In the wake of Elon Musk turning Twitter into his personal propoganda machine, a multitude of people have flocked to Bluesky, hoping to find a sensible alternative to the quagmire that is X. For a long time, Bluesky managed to hold onto its reputation as a beacon of free speech and openness. However, appeasing foreign censorship isn't the best look for the company, especially when other platforms lack this option for workarounds.
Sources:
- Twitter's former employee launches decentralized Twitter replacement Bluesky
- Bluesky restricts accounts in Turkey under censorship pressure from government
- Bluesky’s Developers Say They Aren’t Responsible for Turkey Blocking Access
- Gizmodo reported on the controversial move made by Bluesky, a social media platform positioned as a Ditched-X alternative, after succumbing to Turkish government pressure.
- Despite Bluesky's promise of freedom, openness, and user-centricity, it has restricted access to 72 accounts within Turkey, drawing scrutiny from technology observers.
- As Bluesky's decentralized structure and affiliation with the Fediverse provides a potential workaround for those booted off the site, the future of free expression on such platforms remains a topic of interest in the general news and entertainment sectors.
- Amidst calls for a social media platform free from the influence of self-absorbed billionaires, the recent censorship move by Bluesky raises questions about the role of technology and politics in shaping the digital landscape of the future.
