Hajra Naz
Decentralized social network Bluesky, a competitor to X and Threads, announced updates to its moderation process. The platform is introducing new tools to track violations of Community Guidelines and enforce rules more effectively.
New reporting categories, changes to the strike system, and clearer guidance for users violating policies are part of the rollout.
The moderation updates arrive with the Bluesky app version 1.110. This release also adds a dark-mode app icon and a redesigned feature to control who can reply to posts.
Bluesky attributes these changes to its rapid growth and the need for clear standards for user behavior.
“On Bluesky, people meet, discover art, debate topics, and interact in niche communities. At the same time, some say things online they would never say in person,” the company stated.
The updates follow a recent incident where author Sarah Kendzior was suspended for a comment referencing a Johnny Cash lyric. Bluesky interpreted the statement literally as a threat, leading to suspension.
The platform aims to maintain a sense of community and reduce toxicity, unlike X, which is often filled with snarky or hateful commentary.
Read More: Bluesky Updates Community Guidelines for Safer, Respectful Users
Expanded Reporting and Tracking
Bluesky is expanding post-reporting options from six to nine categories. Users can now flag:
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Youth Harassment or Bullying
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Eating Disorders
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Human Trafficking content
This helps Bluesky comply with laws like the UK Online Safety Act and protections for minors online.
The platform’s internal tools have been improved to automatically track violations and enforcement actions in one place. Users receive clear information about what occurred and their account status.
Updated Strike System
Bluesky’s strike system now assigns a severity rating to flagged content:
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Critical risk: Permanent ban
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Medium or high: Appropriate temporary penalties
Accounts with repeated violations could face permanent bans. Users receive notifications detailing:
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Violated Community Guideline
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Severity level
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Total violation count
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Next account-level action threshold
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Duration and end date of suspension
Users can appeal enforcement actions if they believe a mistake occurred.
Community Guidelines and Enforcement
Bluesky updated its Community Guidelines in October, signaling stricter moderation and more aggressive enforcement.
Some users remain concerned that controversial accounts, such as those criticized for posts on trans issues, are still active. Bluesky CEO Jay Graber has defended the platform’s approach, emphasizing inclusivity across communities.
Bluesky aims to be a decentralized platform for diverse communities, rather than a leftist version of Twitter/X. Many users migrated to Bluesky due to dissatisfaction with Twitter/X’s political shift under Elon Musk.
Read More: Bluesky Introduces Official Verification for Notable Users
Regulatory Compliance
Bluesky balances moderation with legal requirements. Platforms face fines if they fail to protect users. For example, Bluesky blocked its service in Mississippi earlier this year due to age assurance laws. Noncompliance could have resulted in fines up to $10,000 per user.
Conclusion
Bluesky’s moderation updates focus on transparency, accountability, and community safety. New reporting categories, severity-based strikes, and clearer user notifications aim to reduce toxic behavior and enhance trust on the platform.
FAQs
1. What new reporting categories has Bluesky added?
Bluesky expanded from six to nine categories, including Youth Harassment, Bullying, Eating Disorders, and Human Trafficking.
2. How does the new strike system work?
Content is rated by severity. Critical violations can result in a permanent ban. Repeat violations can escalate to account-level penalties.
3. Can users appeal enforcement actions?
Yes, users can submit appeals if they believe their account or content was wrongly penalized.
4. How does Bluesky handle controversial accounts?
Bluesky enforces guidelines consistently but allows diverse viewpoints, balancing moderation with community inclusivity.
5. Why did Bluesky block its service in Mississippi?
The platform lacked resources to comply with the state’s age assurance law, which could have imposed fines up to $10,000 per user.
