Bluesky reverses usage policy to welcome heads of state
In a significant policy shift, Bluesky, the widely-used social networking site, has now opened its doors to heads of state. This decision comes just over two months after the Jack Dorsey-led platform was made available for public registration. Previously, the sole method of accessing the site was through the use of an invitation code. In May last year, Bluesky dissuaded users from sharing invitation codes with "recent/prominent heads of state," citing a policy that did not allow such high-profile figures.
Bluesky's initial moderation challenges
Bluesky's initial policy was established during its formative stages when the platform was still refining its moderation strategy. The site faced challenges in managing a surge of images featuring Alf, the notorious alien puppet from an 80s sitcom. At that time, Bluesky seemed unprepared to accommodate world leaders amid its regular user base, leading to the initial restriction on heads of state.
Evolution and user-driven moderation
Bluesky has significantly evolved since its early days, now featuring user-driven moderation through its open-source tool, Ozone. Unlike many social networks that depend on a universal algorithm for content feeds, Bluesky provides users with the ability to customize their feeds using user-generated options. This is in addition to the "Discover" and "Popular With Friends" features that further enhance the user experience on the platform.
New features amid policy reversal
Alongside its policy reversal, Bluesky has introduced new features this week. These include the ability to incorporate hashtags into user bios and an improved link-sharing feature activated by long-pressing a link. Despite these advancements, some world leaders have instead migrated to other platforms like Mastodon, indicating that Bluesky's policy change may face challenges in attracting high-profile users.
