A world without Caesars: How the ATProto community is rebuilding the web to return power to the people

Tech Crunch - Mar 25th, 2025

Over the weekend, Seattle hosted the inaugural ATmosphere Conference, a pivotal gathering for developers, engineers, and advocates of the AT Protocol (ATProto), the technology behind Bluesky's burgeoning social network. The event, attended by over 150 participants including Bluesky CEO Jay Graber, focused not on Bluesky itself, but on the broader potential of ATProto to enable decentralized social networks and empower users. Attendees, many meeting in person for the first time, explored innovations in social app development, open social identity via OAuth, and the reclamation of data ownership from tech giants.

The conference underscored a movement to decentralize the web, aiming to shift control from major tech companies to individual users. Speeches from figures like Blaine Cook, former Twitter developer, highlighted lessons from past failures and hopes for a more equitable digital future. The event featured discussions on building safer, inclusive communities, with projects like BlackSky and Northsky Social addressing the needs of marginalized groups. The conference concluded with a renewed commitment to collaboration and innovation, marking a significant step in the decentralized web's evolution.

Seattle O Auth Bluesky At Proto Decentralized Web Jay Graber Blaine Cook Community Building

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RATING

6.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides an informative overview of the ATProto conference and the broader movement towards decentralization in social media. It effectively captures the enthusiasm and vision of the attendees while highlighting the potential benefits of user empowerment and data control. However, the article could be improved by including more diverse perspectives, particularly those critical of the feasibility and challenges of such initiatives. Additionally, the reliance on statements from interested parties without independent verification affects the overall credibility and balance of the piece. Despite these limitations, the article remains timely and relevant, addressing issues that are of significant public interest and potential impact.

Accuracy

The article presents several factual claims about the ATProto conference, such as its location in Seattle and the attendance of notable figures like Jay Graber and Blaine Cook. It accurately describes the conference's focus on decentralization and user empowerment, which aligns with the general goals of the AT Protocol. However, the claim about Bluesky having over 33 million users seems exaggerated and requires verification, as it significantly impacts the perceived scale of the platform. Additionally, while the article mentions various projects and initiatives, specific details about their current status or success are not provided, leaving room for potential inaccuracies.

Balance

The article primarily highlights the positive aspects of the ATProto conference and the movement towards decentralization. It features perspectives from advocates like Jay Graber and Blaine Cook, emphasizing their vision for a user-controlled web. However, it lacks critical viewpoints or skepticism about the feasibility and challenges of such decentralized systems. The article could benefit from including perspectives on potential technical and economic hurdles, as well as the reasons why previous similar efforts might have failed.

Clarity

The article is well-written and structured, making it easy to follow. It clearly outlines the main themes of the conference and the motivations behind the ATProto movement. The language is engaging and accessible to a general audience, with a logical flow from one topic to the next. However, some technical terms related to the protocol might require further explanation for readers unfamiliar with decentralized technologies.

Source quality

The article relies heavily on statements from conference attendees and organizers, such as Jay Graber and Blaine Cook, who have vested interests in promoting the ATProto. While these sources are credible within the context of the conference, the article does not incorporate independent expert opinions or data to substantiate the claims made. The lack of diverse sources limits the depth of the analysis and the impartiality of the reporting.

Transparency

The article provides a clear narrative of the conference and its goals but lacks transparency regarding the methodology used to gather information. There is no disclosure of potential conflicts of interest that the sources might have. Additionally, the article does not explain how it verified the claims about the number of users or the success of the projects mentioned, which affects the transparency of the reporting.