Bluesky Yields to Censorship Pressure in Turkey, Yet Exploits a Loophole
Welp, Here's the Lowdown on Bluesky, the Twitter Alter Ego
The microblogging platform Bluesky has been growing in popularity, offering a refreshing break from the classic X platform run by a certain power-hungry billionaire. However, this week things took a turn for the worse as it was uncovered that Bluesky succumbed to censorship demands from the Turkish government—a move that's caused a bit of a stir for a site that's positioned itself as a champion of free speech.
So, what exactly went down? A recent report indicates that Bluesky restricted access to 72 accounts in Turkey following pressure from the Turkish government. authorities alleged these accounts threatened national security and public order, as TechCrunch puts it[1]. The details surrounding the operators of the accounts and the specific nature of the threat they posed remain vague[2]. The initial report came from the Freedom of Expression Association, a Turkish NGO focused on civil liberties. Bluesky has yet to comment on the issue.
Now, here's where things get interesting. Due to Bluesky being part of the Fediverse and relying on the open standard AT Protocol, there's a bit of a loophole for the Turkish users who were booted from the site. Because Bluesky isn't just a standalone microblogging platform but also a constituent of a semi-decentralized ecosystem of sites, the censored users might still be able to access the Atmosphere, which comprises a host of other sites running on the AT Protocol[5]. Some popular apps within this ecosystem include Skywalker, Skeets, and Roomy.
Bluesky's beginnings can be traced back to former Twitter guru Jack Dorsey, who invested $13 million from Twitter into the project. Back in the day, Jack was also at the helm of Twitter, but he's since moved on, with CEO Jay Graber now leading the charge.
The shift towards censorship hasn't exactly bolstered Bluesky's rep after Elon Musk took over Twitter and transformed it into his personal soapbox. After all, Bluesky had been managing to stay above the fray by respecting users and fostering an open environment that prioritizes self-expression and autonomy. But giving in to foreign censorship isn't exactly newsworthy in a good way, even if Bluesky does offer a workaround for censorship that other sites don't have.
This development casts a long shadow over Bluesky's image as a viable alternative to X. It raises important questions about whether Bluesky truly delivers on its promises of a free and open platform or if it's just another link in the chain of centralized social networks that bow to government pressures. With growing concerns about censorship across platforms, it's something worth keeping an eye on.
[1] Source: TechCrunch[2] Source: Gizmodo[3] Source: Turkrules[4] Source: Gazete Hal[5] Source: FederalCL Authors
Enrichment Data:
Bluesky, the microblogging alternative to X, bowed to Turkish government censorship demands by blocking 72 accounts and one post within Turkey after receiving legal pressures. The action contradicts Bluesky's initial position as a decentralized and open social network, leading to concerns within the community about its commitment to free speech. The AT Protocol infrastructure allows circumvention of censorship via third-party apps, but the official Bluesky app still enforces government-mandated restrictions, including geographic moderation labels. These developments have raised concerns about Bluesky's true openness and decentralization, particularly in the context of broader tensions in decentralized social networks facing state censorship demands.
- Despite positioning itself as a champion of free speech, the microblogging platform Bluesky has faced criticism after it bowed to censorship demands from the Turkish government.
- The controversial move by Bluesky to block 72 accounts and one post in Turkey has led to concerns within the community about its commitment to an open and decentralized social network.
- With the ability to access the Atmosphere, a host of other sites running on the AT Protocol, Bluesky users who werebooted from the site might find a workaround for the government-mandated restrictions.
- The shift towards censorship by Bluesky has raised questions about its identity as a truly open and free platform, pushing some to ponder whether it's just another centralized social network that bows to government pressures, much like its counterparts in the tech industry.
