Bluesky Tackles Impersonation with New Policies

Bluesky, a rapidly growing social media platform, is addressing the issue of impersonation as more celebrities and influencers join. The company recently updated its policies to become more “assertive” in dealing with fake accounts. Impersonators and those who squat on usernames will now face account removal. Bluesky has expanded its moderation team, aiming to handle reports faster. However, a huge backlog due to new users is slowing them down. Recently, users have been asking if accounts are real or parodies, with no clear answers. Some have even started their own verification systems.Unlike other platforms, Bluesky doesn’t have a verified user badge. Instead, they rely on domain verification in usernames. For instance, official Bluesky accounts have handles ending in “bsky. team. ” The company is working with organizations and individuals to set up these verified handles. Parody and fan accounts are allowed but must clearly state they are unofficial. “Identity churning, ” where impersonators switch identities to keep followers, is also banned. Bluesky’s CEO, Jay Graber, mentioned that more verification methods may be introduced, potentially allowing other apps to verify users too.