Bluesky opens up Moderation, empowering users and developers

Bluesky, the decentralized social media platform, detailed this week how online content moderation will work. With the release of its open-source tool called Ozone, Bluesky introduces a unique ecosystem where users, communities, and developers all play a role in shaping the online experience.

Bluesky's approach recognizes that there's no single moderation solution that works for everyone. Instead, Bluesky offers these key features:

• Sensible Defaults: New users get a standard moderation service from Bluesky, ensuring a solid baseline experience.
• Customization: Users can easily "subscribe" to independent moderation services with varying focus to tailor their feeds. Imagine blocking spider photos or blurring NSFW content with a click.
• Open System: Developers can create innovative moderation tools or use machine learning for automated labeling, building on the foundation that Bluesky provides.

How It Works

Think of moderation on Bluesky like building blocks:

• Bluesky's Base: The app's default moderation team enforces community guidelines.
• Independent Services: These add-on services address specific needs - think blocking certain content types or flagging misinformation.
• Personalization: Users mix and match these services to create their ideal experience.

Ozone: the moderation engine

Ozone is the open-source tool powering this ecosystem. It offers:

• Ease of Use: Moderators can create services without complex technical overhead.
• Collaboration: Teams can work together on moderation tasks, reducing the burden on individuals.
• Versatility: Ozone works across the entire Bluesky network, making moderation solutions reusable in different apps.

Why This Matters

Bluesky's approach has significant implications:

• User Control: Individuals have unprecedented power to shape their online environments.
• Reduced Bias: No single company dictates what's acceptable, helping to mitigate censorship concerns.
• Innovation: Developers can experiment with new moderation models and technologies.

Bluesky's moderation system marks a shift toward user-centric social networks. As more developers build on the AT Protocol, we're likely to see even more creative ways of addressing online safety and content curation.