Bluesky Tackles Impersonation Concerns
The rapidly growing social media platform, Bluesky, is addressing rising concerns about impersonation and identity verification. The surge in celebrity and influencer presence has highlighted the need for more robust verification measures.
In response, Bluesky has strengthened its impersonation policy, promising swifter action against impersonators and those engaging in handle-squatting. The platform has significantly expanded its moderation team to expedite the handling of impersonation reports, acknowledging a current backlog due to the influx of new users. See how Bluesky compares to other platforms.
Verification Methods and Challenges
Unlike platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Bluesky currently lacks a traditional verified user badge. It relies on verified domains within user handles as a primary trust signal. For instance, "bsky.team" signifies official Bluesky affiliation. The company is actively assisting organizations and high-profile individuals in setting up these verified domain handles.
While parody and fan accounts are permitted, Bluesky mandates clear labeling in both display names and bios to distinguish them from official accounts. "Identity churning," where users create impersonation accounts to gain followers and then switch identities, is strictly prohibited. This is similar to verification challenges faced by other platforms.
Future of Verification on Bluesky
Bluesky CEO Jay Graber has indicated potential future developments in account verification, including enabling third-party apps and organizations to provide their own verification methods. The Bluesky Safety team has also confirmed ongoing exploration of enhanced verification options beyond domain verification, promising updates soon. This suggests a move towards more comprehensive identity verification.