Bluesky, a rising social media platform, is under scrutiny for failing to meet European Union (EU) compliance standards under the Digital Services Act (DSA). The platform has not provided key information mandated by the DSA, raising concerns about its transparency and accountability.
A report by Reuters revealed that Bluesky has yet to establish a dedicated page on its website disclosing its EU user numbers and legal establishment, as required by the DSA. This regulation applies to all platforms operating within the EU, regardless of size. A spokesperson for the European Commission stated:
“All platforms in the EU, even the smallest ones like Bluesky, must have a dedicated page on their website indicating their user numbers in the EU and their legal establishment. This is currently not the case for Bluesky.”
The absence of this compliance measure puts Bluesky in violation of EU transparency regulations, potentially jeopardizing its expansion in the European market.
EU’s Approach to Enforcement
The European Commission has not directly contacted Bluesky but is collaborating with the 27 EU member states to investigate the platform’s presence and activities. So far, Bluesky has not responded to the Commission’s concerns or provided an explanation for its non-compliance.
Failure to adhere to the DSA could result in significant penalties, including financial fines or restricted access to the EU market. While Bluesky has been rapidly expanding its user base, non-compliance may challenge its growth trajectory and reputation.
What You Should Know About Bluesky
Bluesky began as a project by Twitter to develop an open social protocol aimed at decentralizing social media. Initially a Twitter initiative, it later evolved into an independent platform with a strong focus on user autonomy and privacy.
- Rapid Growth: As of November 19th, Bluesky’s CEO, Jay Graber, announced that the platform has surpassed 20 million users, adding over a million new users daily.
- Innovative Features: Bluesky allows users to create personalized algorithmic feeds, leading to the creation of over 50,000 custom feeds.
- Commitment to Privacy: Unlike some platforms, Bluesky does not use user-generated content to train generative AI tools. However, it utilizes AI for content moderation to ensure a safer user experience.
Potential Impact of Non-Compliance
Bluesky’s non-compliance with EU regulations could hinder its operations in the region. The DSA aims to promote transparency and accountability, even for platforms categorized as small or below the “Very Large Online Platform” threshold. For Bluesky, meeting these requirements is essential to maintaining its growth and fostering trust among its global user base.
Bluesky’s situation underscores the importance of adhering to regional regulations in an increasingly interconnected digital world.