Hassan Khan
The social network Bluesky is updating its community standards and other regulations two years after it first launched, and it is soliciting user input on some of the changes. The startup, which competes with open networks like Mastodon, Threads, and X, claims that its new regulations are intended to provide greater clarity and specificity about its appeals process and user safety protocols.
New international laws, such as the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), the U.S.’s TAKE IT DOWN Act, and the U.K.’s Online Safety Act (OSA), are driving many of the changes.
Some of the modifications reflect Bluesky’s deliberate attempts to influence its community and users’ conduct, encouraging them to be kinder and more considerate of others. This follows a string of grievances and media reports implying that the group lacks humor and diversity of opinion, is prone to self-seriousness, and shares unpleasant news.
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In order to comply with online safety laws and regulations, Bluesky has revised its Terms of Service to include age assurance when necessary. The U.K.’s Online Safety Act, for example, started mandating platforms containing adult material to utilize age verification in July. As a result, Bluesky users in the nation must either scan their face, submit their ID, or input a payment card in order to use the website.
Additionally, the complaints and appeals process is much more thorough.
One noteworthy update makes reference to a “informal dispute resolution process,” in which Bluesky consents to speak with a user over the phone regarding their disagreement prior to the initiation of a formal dispute procedure. “We believe that the majority of disagreements can be settled amicably,” says Bluesky.
That’s quite different from what’s happening on bigger social networks like Facebook and Instagram, where individuals are banned without being told what went wrong or having no ability to contact the firm to voice their grievances.
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Additionally, according to Bluesky, it would enable consumers to settle specific claims of injury in court rather than through arbitration. For IT firms, which frequently favor resolving conflicts outside of the legal system, this is also a little out of the ordinary.
However, the suggested modifications to the Community Guidelines, about which Bluesky users are encouraged to provide input, could be of greater interest to them. (Once the input period is up, the adjustments take effect on October 15, 2025.)
The four guiding concepts of these updated rules are Safety First, Respect Others, Be Authentic, and Follow the Rules. These broad guidelines are intended to direct Bluesky’s moderation choices regarding the labeling or removal of material, the suspension or ban of your account, and, in certain situations, the reporting of you to law enforcement.
Among other things, Bluesky’s rules prohibit the promotion of violence or harm, including self-harm and animal abuse; posting of illegal or sexually suggestive content, including role-playing; permitting harmful practices such as doxxing and other nonconsensual sharing of personal information; and posting of spam or malicious content.
It makes room for satire, parody, and journalism. Journalists who practice “factual reporting,” for example, might write on mental health, internet safety, criminal activity and violence, and other subjects, such as alerts about potentially dangerous viral challenges.
The subtleties of what constitutes a “threat,” “harm,” or “abuse” are where Bluesky can run into issues.
According to the policy, users must “respect others” by refraining from publishing, endorsing, or fostering “hate, harassment, or bullying.” For instance, postings that target people or organizations on the basis of “race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected traits” are prohibited by the policy, as are exploitative deepfakes and anything that “incites discrimination or hatred.”
In the past, Bluesky has made mistakes in this area, as seen by instances when its moderating choices damaged ties with the Black community and, in another instance, when its refusal to moderate infuriated the trans community.
More lately, the firm has been under fire for being too left leaning, with members ready to criticize and write harsh comments, and a generally unhumorous community.
In addition to blocking and reporting capabilities, Bluesky’s initial concept was to give users the ability to build the community they want. This included features like subscribeable block lists and values aligned opt-in moderating services. Users of Bluesky have, however, continued to express a preference for the app to manage a large portion of the moderation, criticizing its safety and trust department when it made judgments they didn’t agree with.
In order to conform to international regulations concerning user rights, data transfer, retention and deletion, takedown processes, transparency reporting, and other topics, Bluesky also revised its copyright and privacy policies. There is no input period for either of them, and they both take effect on September 15, 2025.
