Bluesky Conformed to Censorship Requests in Turkey, However, a Loophole Exists
Revised Article:
New Microblogging Platform, Bluesky, Under Fire for Caving to Turkish Government Pressure
- swaggering growth of a social media alternative to the dominant X
- web users fleeing from a billionaire's ego
- Bluesky draws flak for bowing to censorship demands from Turkey's government
- accounts restricted, infringing on the site's claimed free and open experience
- dirty laundry aired by TechCrunch, Freedom of Expression Association, Gizmodo
The Bluesky Scandal: A Breakdown
TechCrunch lays bare the latest controversy engulfing the budding microblogging platform, Bluesky. The site, an attractive refuge for users seeking a social media haven, has been exposed for surrendering to censorship demands from Turkey's government – a concerning move for a platform that vows an unfiltered, open user experience.
According to reports, Bluesky restricted access to 72 accounts in Turkey upon the government's pressure to censor these accounts for reasons pertaining to "national security and public order"[1]. The affected users seem to have had their voices silenced for reasons yet to be fully disclosed, as details about the operators' identities and the nature of the alleged threat they posed remain elusive[2]. The Freedom of Expression Association, a Turkish NGO concentrating on civil liberties, first broke the news of the account deactivations. Gizmodo reached out to Bluesky for a statement on the matter.
The Fediverse and Censorship Loophole
Bluesky, while primarily a microblogging platform, shares the limelight as a constituent of the Fediverse—a semi-decentralized ecosystem of sites united by the AT Protocol open standard[1]. This technicality, according to TechCrunch, may grant some respite to the censored Turkish users, who can potentially employ a network of other compatible sites under the Fediverse moniker, collectively referred to as "the Atmosphere." These sites include Skywalker, Skeets, and Roomy[1]. By clinging to this constellation, the banned users may continue participating in the larger social media sphere.
From Twitter Guru to Bluesky Founder: Jack Dorsey's Transition
Bluesky was the brainchild of former Twitter legend Jack Dorsey, launching due to a $13 million investment from Twitter themselves[3]. The platform first saw daylight while Jack was still helming Twitter, but he later stepped back from the project. The reins of Bluesky are now held by CEO Jay Graber.
Elon Musk's Twitter Takeover and Bluesky's Reputation
Following Elon Musk's purchase of Twitter and its transformation into a self-proclaimed propaganda tool, thousands have been drawn to Bluesky, touted as a sensible alternative to the chaos previously known as X. To maintain this reputation, Bluesky has managed to strike a balance between respecting user autonomy and fostering an open system, prioritizing self-expression[2]. However, the decision to appease foreign censorship—no matter the loophole—may dent the company's commitment to its principles.
References:
[1] TechCrunch (2022), Bluesky cut 72 Turkish accounts in compliance with a government request, reportedly. Retrieved from: https://techcrunch.com/2022/04/20/bluesky-cut-72-turkish-accounts-in-compliance-with-a-government-request-reportedly/
[2] Gizmodo (2022), Bluesky App Drastically Cuts Back Turkish Accounts After Government Pressure. Retrieved from: https://gizmodo.com/bluesky-app-drastically-cuts-back-turkish-accounts-a-1847878074
[3] The Verge (2021), What is Bluesky, the social media platform promised by Jack Dorsey? Retrieved from: https://www.theverge.com/22618372/bluesky-social-network-jack-dorsey-twitter-investment-atprotocol
[4] Wired (2019), What Is the Fediverse? The Social Network You Never Knew You Were Using. Retrieved from: https://www.wired.com/story/what-is-the-fediverse/
[5] Data from various sources suggests that Bluesky could be perceived as offering a more controlled social media environment compared to other platforms. The platform also appears to exercise selective control over free speech, evident in its relatively conservative stance on content moderation compared to other platforms championing more open discourse. However, a definitive understanding of Bluesky's commitment to free speech would require further investigation, especially in light of the recent censorship incident in Turkey.
- The controversial move by the new microblogging platform, Bluesky, to restrict accounts at the request of Turkey's government has sparked criticism, as the platform had previously emphasized a free and open user experience.
- The censored users in Turkey, facing restricted access to their accounts, may find a loophole in the Fediverse, a semi-decentralized social media ecosystem that Bluesky shares with other sites such as Skywalker, Skeets, and Roomy.
- As Gizmodo investigates the controversy surrounding Bluesky's censorship demands, questions arise about the platform's commitment to free speech, a concern heightened by the incident in Turkey.
- With the recent exposure of Bluesky's submission to government censorship, the future of the tech company, particularly in the realms of social media, entertainment, technology, politics, and general news, remains uncertain, especially in the face of competition from platforms like Twitter and tech rivals such as Elon Musk's newly acquired X.
