Bluesky, a decentralized social platform rivaling X and Threads, revealed on Wednesday that it is implementing additional modifications to its moderation system. The company detailed that it is updating how it monitors breaches of its Community Guidelines and applies its rules. These changes involve adding new categories for reporting within the app, revising its violation “strike” system, and offering clearer instructions to users who break the guidelines.
These moderation updates are included in the newest release of the Bluesky app (v. 1.110), which also introduces a dark-mode icon and an improved tool for managing who can respond to your posts.
According to the company, these moderation improvements are in response to Bluesky’s rapid expansion and the necessity for “clear standards and expectations for how people treat each other” on the site.
“On Bluesky, people are making connections, finding love, gaining recognition as artists, and engaging in discussions on specialized topics in welcoming spaces. Yet, some users have gotten used to saying things online that they would never say face-to-face,” the company explained in its announcement about the changes.
This announcement comes after a recent moderation controversy, where a user was suspended for a comment Bluesky interpreted as a violent threat. Author and influencer Sarah Kendzior posted on Bluesky that she wanted to “shoot the author of this article just to watch him die”—a line referencing a Johnny Cash song lyric. She used this phrase while commenting on a Johnny Cash article she disliked.
Bluesky’s team stated that Kendzior was suspended for expressing “a desire to shoot the author of the article,” interpreting her words in a very literal sense.
With these revised policies, Bluesky appears intent on preserving a positive community atmosphere and avoiding the toxic environment that now characterizes X, where sarcasm, ridicule, and hateful remarks are widespread.
Image Credits:Bluesky
To begin with, Bluesky is increasing the number of reporting options on posts from six to nine, giving users more specific ways to flag problems and enabling moderators to respond to urgent reports more efficiently. For example, users can now report issues such as Youth Harassment, Bullying, or Eating Disorders, which supports Bluesky’s compliance with new regulations aimed at protecting minors online. Additionally, users can now report suspected Human Trafficking content to align with the U.K.’s Online Safety Act.
To support these efforts, Bluesky has upgraded its internal systems to automatically log violations and enforcement actions in a centralized location. This system also ensures that users receive clear updates about what occurred and their current status.
The company emphasizes that it is not altering what it enforces, but rather improving its tools to ensure enforcement is more consistent and transparent.
As part of these updates, Bluesky’s strike system will now assign a severity level to content, which will determine the type of enforcement action taken. For instance, content labeled as a “critical risk” will lead to a permanent ban. Other violations may result in lesser penalties, and users who accumulate multiple violations could face permanent bans rather than temporary suspensions.
Additionally, the company states that users will be informed if they are subject to enforcement actions, including details about which Community Guideline was breached, the assigned severity, their total number of violations, how close they are to further account-level penalties, and the length and end date of any suspension. The company also notes that users can appeal enforcement decisions.
These changes follow Bluesky’s introduction of revised Community Guidelines in October, reflecting its broader commitment to stronger moderation and enforcement on the platform.
Despite the company’s push for stricter policies, some Bluesky users remain frustrated that a user widely criticized for his views on trans issues is still allowed to keep his account. This debate resurfaced in October when Bluesky CEO Jay Graber appeared to dismiss users’ concerns in several posts.
At the heart of the matter is the contrast between how Bluesky wants to be seen and its current reality.
Bluesky does not want to be perceived solely as a left-leaning or liberal alternative to Twitter; its goal is to provide a space where diverse communities can grow and connect, free from the issues of centralized social networks. However, many users joined Bluesky after feeling alienated from Twitter/X, which shifted more to the right under Elon Musk’s ownership.
Beyond shaping its public image, Bluesky must also navigate an increasing number of laws and regulations requiring social platforms to safeguard users or risk significant penalties, such as hefty fines. For example, earlier this year, Bluesky restricted access in Mississippi, citing insufficient resources to comply with the state’s age verification law, which could fine the platform up to $10,000 per user for violations.
