Bluesky Condescends to Censorship Requirements in Turkey, yet Maintains a Loophole for Possible Escape
Hop on the Bluesky Bandwagon, But Be Aware of Censorship
In the fast-paced world of social media, Bluesky, a microblogging platform challenging X, has been experiencing a surge in popularity. People are embracing Bluesky as a space far from the grip of an overbearing billionaire CEO. Unfortunately, this week, a cloud of controversy has hovered over Bluesky. The platform has apparently bowed to censorship demands from the Turkish government, a move that doesn't sit well with those seeking a truly free social media experience.
According to recent reports, Bluesky restricted access to 72 accounts within Turkey, succumbing to pressure from government officials who claimed it was necessary for reasons regarding "national security and public order." The details regarding the operators of these accounts and the underlying threat they posed to the Turkish government remain murky [1][4][5].
The account deactivations were first reported by the Freedom of Expression Association, a Turkish NGO dedicated to civil liberties. When reached for comment, Bluesky remained silent [3].
What sets Bluesky apart is its affiliation with the Fediverse, a semi-decentralized ecosystem powered by the open standard AT Protocol. This connection seems to provide a potential escape route for the Turkish users affected by the censorship. Because Bluesky isn't solely a microblogging platform but also a player in this Fediverse, users who are banned may still be able to utilize other sites within this constellation, like Skywalker, Skeets, and Roomy [3].
Initially, Bluesky was the brainchild of Jack Dorsey, a former Twitter kingpin, funded by Twitter to the tune of $13 million. After Dorsey's departure, CEO Jay Graber took the helm. With its promise of a free and open space, Bluesky has long been seen as a viable alternative to the chaotic mess that X has become [2]. However, its recent move to appease foreign censorship has tarnished its reputation, even though it offers a circumvention route that other platforms lack.
Since Elon Musk took over Twitter and transformed it into his propaganda tool, the masses have been flocking to Bluesky, lured by its reputation as a sensible replacement for X. For a while, Bluesky has managed to hold onto that rep by respecting its users and promoting an open system that prioritizes self-expression and autonomy. This recent censorship incident, however, doesn't paint a pretty picture for the company [2].
Enrichment Data:
The Turkish government's pressure on Bluesky has led to the restriction of access to 72 accounts within Turkey. Of these, 59 accounts were fully blocked, while 13 accounts and at least one post were hidden from Turkish users. This move has been met with criticism from both the Turkish online community and the broader Fediverse community, with many questioning the platform's commitment to freedom and openness.
While Bluesky's structure partially mitigates the impact of censorship, it is not as effective as other fully decentralized platforms like Mastodon. Users on the official Bluesky app must abide by company-mandated moderation services, including the country-specific "Turkish moderation labeler" enforcing these restrictions. On the other hand, third-party apps are not subject to the same censorship rules, offering a potential loophole for users to bypass restrictions, though doing so may incur government scrutiny [1][4].
- The surge in Bluesky's popularity stems from its promise as a free and open space unlike its centralized competitors, but its recent censorship demands from the Turkish government have raised concerns about its commitment to this ideal.
- In the broader context of the technology world, Bluesky's move to bow to censorship pressures has sparked debate among tech enthusiasts on Gizmodo and other tech-focused platforms about the role of social media in politics and general news.
- Despite the controversy, Bluesky's association with the Fediverse offers a potential escape route for Turkish users affected by the censorship, as they can utilize other sites within the Fediverse like Skywalker, Skeets, and Roomy.
- As the future of social media unfolds, the Bluesky incident serves as a reminder that even tech platforms dubbed as saviors of social media may not always live up to the expectations of users seeking a truly free and open space for expression.
