Social media platform Bluesky yields to censorship pressure in Turkey, yet a potential loophole could be exploited.
Revised Article:
Embracing a sea of web users yearning for an unmanipulated social media platform, Bluesky, a microblogging outfit challenging X, has been experiencing remarkable growth. However, a troubling development this week has surfaced - accusations that Bluesky succumbed to censorship demands from the Turkish government, a move that contradicts its commitment to a free and open user experience.
As per a recent report, Bluesky allegedly restricted access to 72 accounts in Turkey upon pressure from the government, with reasons cited as "national security and public order" by TechCrunch. Details about the account operators and the reasons behind the Turkish government's disapproval remain scarce, with the initial report coming from the Freedom of Expression Association, a Turkish NGO advocating for civil liberties. Gizmodo issued a request for comment from Bluesky.
Despite Bluesky's compliance with the Turkish government's demands, there seems to be a loophole for the censored users. As a constituent of the semi-decentralized Fediverse and relying on the open standard AT Protocol, the banned users might still be able to utilize the network of other sites that run on the AT Protocol. Known as "the Atmosphere," these sites include platforms like Skywalker, Skeets, and Roomy, accessible online and via apps.
Bluesky's inception can be traced back to former Twitter luminary Jack Dorsey, who garnered financial backing from Twitter amounting to $13 million. Originally envisioned during Dorsey's tenure at Twitter, Bluesky is now spearheaded by CEO Jay Graber.
Since Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter and its transformation into a propaganda tool, Bluesky has witnessed surging interest as a viable alternative to the morass that is X. Constrasted with Twitter, Bluesky has maintained its reputation of respecting its users and nurturing an open system that values self-expression and autonomy. Nevertheless, the decision to cater to foreign censorship doesn't bode well for the company, even if it furnishes a censorship bypass lacking in other sites.
It's crucial to emphasize that Bluesky's stance on free speech prizes user choice, decentralization, and resistance to centralized content control, rather than imposing strict censorship or bowing to government mandates. However, there is no concrete evidence suggesting that Bluesky has altered its free speech policies specifically in response to Turkish government demands or censorship pressures. Bluesky advocates preserving its platform's integrity beyond the control of any single entity, initiative exemplified by the Free Our Feeds campaign which seeks to maintain the openness of the AT protocol ecosystem.
- The growth of Bluesky, a tech company challenging X in the realm of social media, has been significant, yet claims of censorship demands from the Turkish government have recently emerged, contradicting its commitment to a free and open user experience.
- According to TechCrunch, Bluesky allegedly restricted access to 72 accounts in Turkey under pressure from the government, with the reasoning given as "national security and public order."
- Although Bluesky appears to have complied with the Turkish government's requests, there seems to be a possible workaround for the affected users – as part of the semi-decentralized Fediverse and using the open standard AT Protocol, they might still access other sites that run on the AT Protocol, such as Skywalker, Skeets, and Roomy.
- Jack Dorsey, a former Twitter luminary, was the one who initially conceived Bluesky, securing financial backing of $13 million from Twitter. Currently, the company is led by CEO Jay Graber.
- With Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter and its subsequent transformation into a tool for propaganda, there's been a surge in interest for Bluesky as a viable alternative to X, which is often criticized for its lack of respect for users and open system values.
- Bluesky prides itself on its stance on free speech, focusing on user choice, decentralization, and resistance to centralized content control, rather than imposing strict censorship or bowing to government mandates.
- Despite the allegations of censorship in Turkey, there is currently no concrete evidence to suggest that Bluesky has altered its free speech policies in response to Turkish government demands or pressures, as the company advocates for maintaining its platform's integrity beyond the control of any single entity.
