Twitter Alternative Bluesky Conforms to Censorship Requests in Turkey, Yet Maintains Mousehole for Content Evasion
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Struggling to escape the clutches of an authoritarian billionaire in X, web users have gravitated toward Bluesky, a microblogging alternative that vowed to provide a haven for free speech and open expression. But this week, the platform took a questionable step: complying with Turkish government censorship demands.
Behind the scenes, it seems Bluesky caved and restricted access to 72 accounts within Turkey, as a result of pressure from Turkish officials. The reasons for this crackdown remain murky, with the government citing concerns of "national security and public order" as justification TechCrunch points out.
The details surrounding these censored accounts and their operators are scarce, with the initial reporting originating from the Freedom of Expression Association, a Turkish NGO primarily focused on civil liberties. Gizmodo reached out to Bluesky for comment.
Fortunately for those affected by these restrictions, there may be a workaround. Based on its semi-decentralized structure and reliance on the open AT Protocol, those with the know-how could potentially hop between sites that are part of what's collectively referred to as "the Atmosphere." This constellation of sites all share the AT Protocol, pioneered by Bluesky Social PBC, the corporation behind Bluesky. They can be accessed online and via apps like Skywalker, Skeets, or Roomy.
In the beginning, Bluesky was the brainchild of former Twitter ace Jack Dorsey, who secured funding from Twitter in the tune of $13 million. Initiated while Dorsey was still leading Twitter, Bluesky has since shifted into the hands of CEO Jay Graber, following Dorsey's departure.
As Musk took over X and transformed it into his personal propaganda machine, Bluesky gained a significant following, luring individuals with its promise of a saner, uncensored alternative to the chaos that has taken over X. For quite some time, Bluesky maintained its pristine image by valuing its users and fostering an open system that praises self-expression and autonomy. Now, though, the decision to appease foreign censorship isn't sitting well with users or outsiders, despite the existence of a censorship-workaround that other sites lack.
As we move forward, it'll be interesting to see how Bluesky navigates this tricky situation, preserving its core values of openness and freedom of expression, while complying with the demands of the Turkish government.
Enrichment Data Integration:- In response to Turkish government pressure, Bluesky restricted 59 accounts due to "national security and public order" concerns and voluntarily hid the content of 13 accounts and one post[2][5].- While the official Bluesky app restricts access to censored content, users may still find a way to access it on third-party apps, which operate independently of Bluesky's centralized moderation system[4][5].- Pressure from the Turkish government is increasing on digital platforms, necessitating the appointment of local representatives and compliance with content removal requests[2].- The restrictions on Bluesky have sparked debates about the platform's commitment to free speech and ability to maintain its decentralized ethos while complying with government demands[1][5].
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- The tech world is abuzz with debates about Bluesky, the microblogging platform embarking on a challenging journey, as it navigates between maintaining its commitment to free speech and complying with foreign government demands, such as the recent decision to restrict access to 72 accounts in Turkey due to concerns of "national security and public order" – a move criticized by users and outsiders.
- While Gizmodo reached out to Bluesky for comment, the reasons behind the Turkish government's crackdown on the targeted accounts remain unclear, with initial reports originating from the Freedom of Expression Association, a Turkish NGO focusing on civil liberties.
- On the brighter side, tech enthusiasts and users affected by the restrictions on Bluesky may find a workaround, as the platform's semi-decentralized structure and reliance on the open AT Protocol allow for hopping between sites that form part of "the Atmosphere" – a constellation of sites that share the AT Protocol, including Skywalker, Skeets, or Roomy.
- As the future unfolds, the entertainment, political, and general-news communities will closely observe how Bluesky balances its values of openness and freedom of expression with the demands of various governments, ensuring a continued conversation that involves social-media users from all walks of life.
