Bluesky opens up to All Users

Bluesky this week announced it is now open to everyone to join. Previously accessible by invite only, the platform has grown to over three million users in its first year.

This change coincides with the release of several new features designed to empower users and increase platform transparency:

• Open Registration: Anyone can now create an account and start using Bluesky.
• Stackable Moderation: This feature allows users to subscribe to additional moderation services alongside Bluesky's existing guidelines. For example, users can subscribe to services that offer fact-checking or specific community moderation.
• Labeling Services: Partner organizations can run their own moderation services and apply labels to content, such as "partially false" or "misleading." Users can choose to subscribe to and view these labels.
• Early Federation: An experimental feature allowing users to choose which servers host their content and interactions, promoting decentralization and user control.
• Self-Hosting: Developers can now set up their own servers that connect to the main Bluesky network, further fostering an open and customizable ecosystem.

Bluesky

Bluesky is an open-source social network platform designed to give users more control over their experience and make the platform more transparent. Here's a breakdown of its key aspects and timeline:

What is it?

• A microblogging social platform similar to Twitter, with features like text-based posts, sharing content, and following others.
• Open-source, meaning its code is publicly available and anyone can contribute to its development.
• Decentralized, meaning it's not controlled by a single company and user data is stored on multiple servers.
• Focused on user control, offering features like self-hosting, custom feeds, and stackable moderation.

When was it created?

• 2019: Officially kicked off as a project within Twitter by then-CEO Jack Dorsey.
• 2021: Incorporated as an independent public benefit corporation, separate from Twitter.
• October 4, 2021: Launched in beta with invite-only access.
• February 6, 2024: Opened up to everyone for registration.