User Authentication Introduced by Bluesky Following Initial Reservations over Verification Symbols
Social media platform Bluesky has finally jumped on the verification bandwagon, announcing its rollout for high-profile organizations and celebrities, starting on Monday, April 21, 2025. In a blog post, the company stated, "Trust is the cornerstone of any strong community. Bluesky strives to connect us, but we need to equip users with tools to recognize who they're engaging with and why they should trust them."
Until now, Bluesky had avoided implementing a checkmark verification system to combat impersonation and scams. Instead, they launched a feature back in 2023 that enabled anyone with a website to turn it into their Bluesky username. This decentralized approach allowed only a select few, like Sen. Elizabeth Warren, to establish their official presence.
However, users became accustomed to the blue checkmark system seen on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, causing confusion. To address this, Bluesky introduced a blue checkmark next to verified accounts, along with a Trusted Verifier feature. This allows select independent organizations to verify accounts and increases the platform's flexibility.
On the flip side, some critics argue that this centralized system could lead to issues similar to those experienced by Twitter. Timothy Burke, a journalist, argued, "Anything that's centralized is subject to one day experiencing exactly what Twitter did. The domain method is one thing the platform doesn't control."
As for the average user without a web domain, they might still face the challenge of verifying the trustworthiness of usernames, making it easy for someone to create an account posing as someone else.
Bluesky, with over 35 million users, often attracts new interest following Elon Musk's infamous antics on his platform, X. After Musk made headlines by selling verified checkmarks for $8 a month, X become a breeding ground for controversial content, including holocaust denial, racism, and extreme ideologies. However, it remains to be seen whether everyday users will be allowed to obtain verification on Bluesky.
Bluesky software engineer Paul Frazee explained in a blog post that the new verification system combines the best aspects of both centralized and decentralized models, saying, "We believe that keeping verification outside of Bluesky's control aligns with our ethos. A robust civic infrastructure should be built on multiple organizations and systems, not solely on our platform."
As of now, it's unclear when the new system will be fully implemented. According to Frazee, it emphasizes trust, credibility, and the need for a diverse network of verifiers to ensure authenticity across the platform. In the meantime, it's crucial for users to exercise caution and be mindful of who they engage with.
- In 2023, Bluesky introduced a feature that enabled website ownership for turning it into a Bluesky username, veering away from a centralized checkmark verification system.
- The blue checkmark system, prevalent on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, is familiar to users, but Bluesky's decentralized approach initially limited the creation of official presences.
- The upcoming verification system on Bluesky, planned for rollout in 2025, merged elements of centralized and decentralized models, according to its software engineer Paul Frazee.
- Independently verified accounts on Bluesky will now have a blue checkmark, mimicking the systems used on other popular social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram.
- As Bluesky evolves, it aspires to foster trust and combat impersonation by equipping users with tools to recognize and define why they should trust others on the platform.
- The addition of a Trusted Verifier feature on Bluesky is expected to increase its flexibility, as independent organizations will be allowed to verify accounts to build a more robust network and ensure authenticity.
