Bluesky takes a step towards an Open Social Web: Now you can host your own data

Bluesky yesterday announced a significant step towards its vision: federated data hosting. This means users can now choose where their data, such as posts, likes, and follows, are stored.

Traditionally, social media platforms hold user data on their own servers. Bluesky breaks this mold, allowing users to self-host their data, similar to how they host their own websites. This empowers users and offers:

• Data Ownership: Users control where their data resides, reducing reliance on a single platform.
• Portability: Users can seamlessly move their data between different hosting providers without losing connections.
• Resilience: Even if Bluesky disappears, the network can persist as data lives across various servers.
• Innovation: Open hosting fosters competition and development of diverse experiences and moderation tools.

While initially targeting technical users, Bluesky plans to simplify self-hosting for everyone. Existing users can enjoy the familiar experience, while self-hosting pioneers pave the way for a more open and customizable future.

Key Differences from Mastodon:

• Global Conversation: Bluesky offers a global view of the network, unlike Mastodon's server-centric communities.
• Moderation: Bluesky utilizes various tools like blocklists and independent moderation services, not just server-level defederation.
• Feeds: Compose your own timeline with content from across the network, unlike Mastodon's limited feed based on followed accounts.
• Account Portability: Moving servers on Bluesky retains your username, friends, and posts, unlike potential disruptions on Mastodon.

This is a noteworthy development, and whether you're a tech-savvy early adopter or a curious observer, Bluesky's journey towards an open and user-controlled social web is worth watching.