Policy Update on BlueSky’s Second Anniversary: Platform Seeks User Feedback

Social media platform BlueSky has updated its community guidelines and other policies, seeking user feedback on the proposed changes. Competing with open networks like X, Threads, and Mastodon, the platform states that the new guidelines include clearer and more detailed instructions regarding user safety measures and appeal procedures.

BlueSky says the updates are in line with recent global laws, including the UK’s Online Safety Act (OSA), the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), and the US TAKE IT DOWN Act. In some cases, these laws require age verification—for example, users in the UK accessing adult content must provide ID, facial scans, or payment card information.

The revised guidelines detail the complaint and appeal process. Notably, an “informal dispute resolution process” has been introduced, where BlueSky will directly contact users by phone before taking institutional action. Additionally, certain claims for damages can be resolved through courts, a rare provision among tech companies.

The updated community guidelines are based on four core principles: prioritize safety, respect others, be authentic, and follow the rules. Content involving violence, self-harm, animal abuse, sexual depiction of minors, doxxing, spam, or other harmful material is prohibited. However, exceptions are made for journalism, satire, and humorous content.

There is potential for debate over how terms like “threat,” “harm,” or “abuse” are defined. In the past, mismanagement of these sensitive areas has caused conflicts with Black and trans communities. Recently, some users have also criticized the platform for leaning excessively left.

The privacy and copyright policies have been rewritten to comply with new laws and will take effect from September 15, 2025. While users can provide feedback on changes to the community guidelines, there is no feedback process for these two policies.