- Bluesky’s app resembles Twitter but is built on a revolutionary open protocol called AT that allows decentralization and portability of social media data across platforms.
- The AT protocol gives users more control through features like algorithmic choice, ability to self-host servers, and customizable content moderation.
- Bluesky aims to enable trusted and transparent social media conversations at global scale, similar to how Bitcoin decentralized finance, by using its innovative decentralized AT protocol framework.
Bluesky emerged from Twitter in 2019 as a side project to create a decentralized social networking framework. Becoming independent in 2022, Bluesky released its beta app in February 2023. The app resembles Twitter on the surface but is built on revolutionary AT protocol infrastructure.
The Bluesky User Experience
The Bluesky app interface is modeled on Twitter with likes, comments, and reposts. There are minor differences like a 265 character limit. However, the key innovations lie below the surface in the underlying AT protocol technology.
Bluesky’s Innovative Networking Technology: AT Protocol
The AT protocol allows the creation of a federation of interconnected social networks. It enables new ways for users to transparently communicate by allowing self-hosting of servers and data. The goal is to give users control over their data and make platforms resistant to corporate or government influence.
What Bluesky and AT Protocol Mean for Users
A key AT protocol feature is the ability to port social media profiles between networks without losing contacts or data. This solves the pain of leaving networks and starting over. Bluesky wants to enable global conversations with the freedom of an open protocol.
Bluesky’s Goals: Trust, Scale, and Portability
Like Bitcoin decentralized currency, Bluesky wants to decentralize social media through its AT protocol framework. The portability component allows seamless migration across platforms. Bluesky also wants to enable trusted conversations at a global scale.
AT Protocol’s Algorithmic Choice and Moderation Tools
Bluesky will offer algorithmic choice, allowing users to modify, choose, or introduce new algorithms. For moderation, there will be default filters plus the ability to layer on custom ones. The goal is transparency and control.
The Future of Bluesky and Decentralized Social Media
While still small compared to giants like Twitter, Bluesky and its AT protocol show promise as a decentralized alternative that could change social media. As we transition to Web3, social media may become more transparent, flexible, and open.
