Twitter Alternative Bluesky Conforms to Censorship Requests in Turkey, Yet Maintains Loophole for User Freedom
Rewritten Article:
In the tech world, BlueSky, a microblogging platform alternative to the infamous X, has been surging in popularity as netizens yearn for a social media site that's not under the thumb of a self-anointed tycoon. However, this week, a cloud hangs over this freedom-loving site, as it's been exposed for bending to the demands of censorship from the Turkish government – clearly not the open experience it promised.
According to TechCrunch, BlueSky has played along with the Turkish government's pressure and restricted access to 72 accounts within their borders. The Turkish authorities justified the clampdown by citing "national security and public order" reasons, which TechCrunch details.
The exact identities of the account operators or the reasons for the government's apprehension are shrouded in mystery. The account suspensions initially surfaced in a report by the Freedom of Expression Association, a Turkish NGO focusing on civil rights. BlueSky has yet to comment on the matter.
Despite censoring specific users in Turkey, BlueSky might not have sealed their fate completely. Due to its connection to the Fediverse and reliance on the AT Protocol, there's a loophole for the censored users. This loophole comes from BlueSky not just being a standalone microblogging platform but also being part of a semi-decentralized ecosystem of sites, all powered by the AT Protocol. These sites, collectively known as the Atmosphere, can be accessed online and via third-party apps like Skywalker, Skeets, and Roomy.
Initially conceived by Twitter luminary Jack Dorsey, BlueSky was backed by Twitter funds (to the tune of $13 million) and stepped into the limelight when Jack was still at the helm of Twitter. Jack has since moved on, with CEO Jay Graber spearheading the project now.
With Elon Musk seizing control of Twitter and turning it into his personal propaganda machine, an exodus of thousands has rushed to BlueSky, drawn by its promise of being an alternative to the squalid mess that is X. For a while, BlueSky managed to uphold this image, by respecting its users and championing an open system emphasizing free speech and autonomy. Regrettably, BlueSky’s decision to heed foreign censorship isn't exactly a feather in their cap, even with their workaround that other sites haven't caught up to.
Enrichment Insights:
- Bluesky's geographic moderation tool, the Turkish moderation labeler, makes targeted accounts invisible only to users in Turkey, while they remain accessible elsewhere, striking a balance between legal compliance with local laws and some level of openness through its technical design.
- Bluesky users have the ability to adjust moderation preferences within the official app but cannot fully opt-out from the platform's moderation services, limiting their ability to avoid censorship.
- Decentralized aspects of BlueSky's system provide a loophole for users in Turkey to bypass the government-enforced restrictions, given that third-party apps do not enforce the same moderation rules as the main BlueSky app.
- BlueSky's stance represents a pragmatic compromise between respecting local laws and preserving a degree of freedom of expression through technical design.
- The tech world has witnessed a surge in the popularity of BlueSky, a microblogging platform that presents an alternative to a centralized social media site, due to its promise of avoiding control by a single tycoon.
- Despite its initial promise of openness, BlueSky has faced criticism this week following reports of bending to Turkish government demands for censorship, restricting access to 72 user accounts.
- The specific identities of the account operators and reasons for the government's apprehension remain unknown, as BlueSky has yet to comment on the matter.
- The ongoing controversy highlights a unique aspect of BlueSky, as it leverages the AT Protocol and the Fediverse, allowing censored users to potentially bypass restrictions through third-party apps like Skywalker, Skeets, and Roomy.
- Initially backed by Twitter funds, BlueSky was created under the direction of Jack Dorsey, but with his departure, CEO Jay Graber now leads the project.
- The recent move towards censorship could potentially damage BlueSky's reputation as it competes with other social media platforms, particularly with Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter leading to an exodus of users seeking an alternative.
- Amidst these developments, Gizmodo has reported that BlueSky's geographic moderation tool allows for targeted accounts to remain visible outside Turkey, striking a balance between legal compliance and some level of openness through its technical design.
