Government censorship comes to Bluesky, but not its third-party apps ... yet

Tech Crunch - Apr 23rd, 2025
Open on Tech Crunch

Earlier this month, Bluesky, a decentralized social network, restricted access to 72 accounts in Turkey at the request of the Turkish government. This action, aimed at protecting 'national security and public order,' has sparked concerns among users about the platform's openness and decentralization. While the official Bluesky app enforces these restrictions using geographic labelers, third-party apps built on Bluesky's AT Protocol, known as the ATmosphere, currently provide a loophole. These apps, like Skeets and Deer.social, do not implement geographic labelers and therefore allow users to bypass Turkish censorship.

Bluesky's decision to comply with Turkish authorities highlights a significant tension between government demands and the platform's decentralized ethos. Although third-party apps offer temporary solutions, their limited user bases and lack of geographic labelers could change if they gain popularity or face pressure from app stores. Developers like Aviva Ruben are working on alternatives that allow users to disable Bluesky's moderation entirely, raising questions about the future of censorship on decentralized platforms. As Bluesky navigates these issues, the broader implications for user freedom and government intervention remain a crucial concern for its community.

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RATING

6.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a generally accurate and timely examination of the issue of government censorship on Bluesky, a decentralized social media platform. It highlights the tension between user freedom and governmental demands, which is a topic of significant public interest. The narrative is clear and engaging, making complex technical issues accessible to readers. However, the article could benefit from a more balanced perspective, incorporating statements from Bluesky or Turkish authorities to enhance credibility. Additionally, the reliance on a limited number of sources and the lack of transparency regarding the methodology used to gather information somewhat weaken the overall quality. Despite these limitations, the article effectively raises awareness and encourages discussion on important issues related to digital rights and censorship.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The article provides a generally accurate account of the situation surrounding Bluesky's compliance with Turkish censorship requests. It mentions specific numbers, such as the 72 accounts restricted, with 59 blocked for 'national security and public order' reasons. However, the story lacks direct confirmation from Bluesky or Turkish authorities, which would strengthen its accuracy. The piece accurately describes the technical loophole through third-party apps, but it does not provide technical documentation to support this claim fully. The mention of specific apps like Skeets and Deer.social adds credibility, but the absence of developer statements, except for Aviva Ruben, leaves some claims partially unverified.

6
Balance

The article primarily presents the perspective of those opposed to government censorship, highlighting the concerns of Turkish users and the potential for third-party apps to bypass restrictions. However, it lacks a balanced view from the Turkish government or Bluesky's official stance on these actions. The mention of the potential risks for third-party apps is a nod towards balance, but it could benefit from more perspectives, such as legal experts or digital rights advocates, to provide a fuller picture of the issue.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured, with a clear progression from the introduction of Bluesky's censorship compliance to the technical loopholes available through third-party apps. The language is straightforward, making complex technical topics accessible to a general audience. However, some sections could benefit from additional context or definitions, such as a brief explanation of what geographic labelers entail, to enhance understanding for readers unfamiliar with the subject.

5
Source quality

The article relies on a report by the Freedom of Expression Association and statements from a developer, Aviva Ruben. However, it lacks a diversity of sources, such as official statements from Bluesky or Turkish authorities, which would enhance credibility. The reliance on a single developer's perspective for technical insights may introduce bias, and the absence of corroborative sources weakens the overall source quality.

6
Transparency

The article does not clearly disclose its methodology or the process by which information was gathered, particularly regarding the technical aspects of Bluesky's censorship mechanisms. While it references a report and a developer's insights, it does not clarify whether these were independently verified. The lack of transparency about potential conflicts of interest or the author's background also limits the reader's ability to fully assess the impartiality of the reporting.

Sources

  1. https://techcrunch.com/2025/04/23/government-censorship-comes-to-bluesky-but-not-its-third-party-apps-yet/
  2. https://www.turkishminute.com/2025/04/17/bluesky-restrict-access-72-account-turk-amid-government-pressure/
  3. https://bsky.app/profile/turkishminute.com/post/3ln44pctbrb25
  4. https://app.daily.dev/posts/government-censorship-comes-to-bluesky-but-not-its-third-party-apps-yet-wkwv3swpi
  5. https://tweetdeleter.com/news/bluesky-restricts-access-to-72-accounts-in-turkey-following-government-pressure