Bluesky Yields to Censorship Pressure in Turkey, Yet Discovers a Potential Escape Clause
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Here's the lowdown on Bluesky, the rebellious microblogging platform challenging X's dominance. It's been a hit lately, drawing in folks tired of a social media platform ruled by a self-proclaimed billionaire titan. But this week, Bluesky found itself in hot water, accused of bowing to censorship pressure from Turkey's government - a cruel blow for a site that prides itself on providing a free and open platform for users.
According to TechCrunch, Bluesky caved to demands from the Turkish government, restricting access to a hefty 72 accounts. The government claimed these accounts were a threat to "national security and public order." The details about the account operators and the specific reason for the government's concern remain obscure. The account deactivations were originally reported by the Freedom of Expression Association, a Turkish NGO vouching for civil liberties. Bluesky declined to comment when Gizmodo reached out.
Despite the setback, there might be a silver lining. Because Bluesky forms part of the Fediverse and employs the open standard AT Protocol, there's a potential loophole for Turkish users who were booted off the site. The AT Protocol allows these users to access a constellation of other sites, including Skywalker, Skeets, and Roomy, collectively known as "the Atmosphere." These sites aren't just about microblogging; they're an integral part of a semi-decentralized network of sites that cooperate due to shared protocols.
Initially, Bluesky was the brainchild of Twitter's former guru, Jack Dorsey, and received a generous investment of $13 million from Twitter. Dorsey left the project sometime ago, with CEO Jay Graber now at the helm. Despite Elon Musk's controverial purchase and transformation of Twitter, Bluesky has emerged as a promising alternative due to its commitment to preserving free expression and promoting a more civil online community.
But the recent move to appease foreign censorship threatens to tarnish Bluesky's image. Even though it offers a potential workaround that other sites lack, the gesture doesn't sit well with users who expect a steadfast commitment to free speech and autonomy.
In essence, Bluesky has positioned itself between the extremes of unregulated free speech and heavy censorship, seeking a more balanced approach that promotes free expression while minimizing harmful content. However, it remains to be seen if Bluesky will maintain its stance on free speech in the face of continued censorship pressure from authorities like Turkey.
- Gizmodo reported that Bluesky, a microblogging platform seeking an alternative to X, faced criticism for allegedly caving to censorship pressure from Turkey's government.
- In response to the setback, tech-savvy users can potentially access Bluesky through the AT Protocol, a network that includes Skywalker, Skeets, and Roomy, collectively known as "the Atmosphere."
- Despite the controversial purchase and transformation of Twitter by Elon Musk, Bluesky has emerged as a promising technology platform due to its commitment to free expression and fostering a more civil online community.
- As Bluesky strides to find a balance between unregulated free speech and heavy censorship, its future in maintaining its stance on free speech amidst pressure from authorities like Turkey remains uncertain.
