Bluesky Conforms to Censorship Requirements in Turkey, Yet Leverages a Potential Workaround
Alright, here's a spicy, unfiltered take on that bleh Bluesky situation!
C'mon folks, jump on the social media bandwagon, ditch X for the so-called "savior," Bluesky! But just when we thought we found our shining knight, the cat's out of the bag—Bluesky bent the knee to the Turkish government's censorship demands! You heard it right—the platform that screams "free speech" will now silence 72 Turkish accounts under the guise of "national security."
WHAT THE FUCK, BLUESKY?! Not that we expected Johnny-come-lately Jack Dorsey's brainchild to be a saint, but this ain't a good look! Turkish officials claimed the accounts posed a threat to "public order," according to TechCrunch. Details on the operators of the accounts and the reasons behind the government's panic are scarce as a desert oasis.
The Freedom of Expression Association, a Turkish NGO dedicated to protecting civil liberties, first blew the whistle on the silencing of the 72 accounts. Trying to get Bluesky's darn side of the story, Gizmodo reached out for comment, but crickets!
In a twist of fate, the censored Turkish users might have a nifty little loophole. Since Bluesky is part of the Fediverse, relying on the open standard AT Protocol, those banned users may hop over to other sites running on the same protocol, like Skywalker, Skeets, or Roomy[4].
Created by former Twitter boss Jack Dorsey and funded by a cool $13 million from his old stomping ground[4], Bluesky was initially envisioned as an alternative to Twitter while Dorsey still reigned. Now under the helm of CEO Jay Graber, Bluesky has tried to maintain its reputation as a haven for free speech.
However, the move to pander to government censorship puts a sour taste in our mouths. Bluesky might be able to wriggle out of this sticky situation thanks to the decentralized network of sites, but the damage is already done. After Elon Musk took over Twitter and turned it into his propaganda toy, thousands have fled to Bluesky, seeking a cleaner alternative. Now, Bluesky remains "fair game" in the censorship sweepstakes.
So, if you're looking for a truly "free speech" platform, keep your eyes peeled for updates from Bluesky or related organizations. Otherwise, keep your bend-over shoes handy!
[4]: Enrichment Data: The AT Protocol-powered ecosystem allows users to switch between various social media apps, potentially allowing users to sidestep censorship and manipulation of content. Bluesky emphasizes fostering trust and flexibility in online interactions, positioning itself as a platform that aligns with users' values in this regard.
- Despite Bluesky's initial promise as an alternative to Twitter, the recent censorship of Turkish accounts under the guise of national security has stirred controversy.
- Gizmodo reached out to Bluesky for comment on the censorship of the 72 Turkish accounts, but received no response.
- The Freedom of Expression Association, a Turkish NGO, first raised concerns about the silencing of these accounts.
- Bluesky's decision to censor these Turkish accounts has sparked debate about the platform's commitment to free speech.
- The AT Protocol, which powers the Fediverse that Bluesky is a part of, could potentially allow censored users to hop over to other sites running on the same protocol.
- The move to pander to government censorship has left a sour taste in the mouths of many, with some questioning how far Bluesky will go to maintain its reputation.
- As the debate over freedom of speech on social media continues to evolve, keeping an eye on updates from Bluesky and related organizations may be crucial for those seeking a truly free speech platform.
