On Thursday, Bluesky announced the opening of a verification process for its social networking platform, enabling “notable and authentic” accounts to apply for verification via an online form, as detailed by the Bluesky Safety account. In conjunction, organisations can apply to become Trusted Verifiers, allowing them access to tools for verifying others. This initiative follows a trial conducted with a select group of organisations, including The New York Times and Wired.
While some Bluesky users have expressed reservations about the introduction of a blue verification badge—associating it with the status-seeking behaviour previously seen on Twitter (now X)—Bluesky aims to delineate its approach from that of its competitors. The platform offers alternative verification methods, including the option for users to self-verify by linking their domain to their account, a move that has been adopted by over 270,000 accounts to date.
Nonetheless, the process for vetting verification requests raises uncertainties. Bluesky’s verification requirements stipulate that accounts need to be active, complete, and secure, and must represent a legitimate individual or entity. However, the criteria for what constitutes a “notable” account is less clear, with Bluesky emphasising the importance of professional recognition, media coverage, and other indicators of public interest in their assessment.
Applicants are encouraged to provide supporting evidence to demonstrate their notability. Bluesky has indicated that they will not respond to every application and will only contact those whose accounts are selected for verification—implying a filtering process to prevent notable figures from being overlooked.
The implementation of this verification system might influence Bluesky’s community dynamics, which has thus far distinguished itself from platforms like Twitter/X and Threads by promoting an egalitarian ethos. The verification rollout might have been better received if it were introduced after the establishment of a broader network of independent Trusted Verifiers, more in line with Bluesky’s aim of not being seen as a centralised authority.
In contrast to Bluesky’s verification method, an alternative platform called Deer.Social offers a more democratic verification process, permitting users to choose their own trusted verifiers. This allows for a more decentralised verification approach without relying on a central authority. Thus, those unsettled by Bluesky’s system have an alternative avenue for verification within the social media landscape.
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