Social platform Bluesky is implementing a broad overhaul of its policies and Community Guidelines, with changes spanning its Terms of Service, safety protocols, dispute resolution process, and content moderation rules.
Highlights
- Major Update: Bluesky is revising its Terms of Service, Community Guidelines, and safety protocols, with public feedback open until October 15, 2025.
- Regulatory Compliance: Updates align with laws like the U.K.’s Online Safety Act, EU’s Digital Services Act, and U.S.’s TAKE IT DOWN Act.
- Age Verification: U.K. users accessing adult content must verify via facial scan, ID upload, or payment card.
- Expanded Dispute Options: Includes informal phone-based resolution and, in some harm cases, court proceedings instead of mandatory arbitration.
- Guideline Principles: Safety First, Respect Others, Be Authentic, Follow the Rules — with strict bans on violence promotion, sexualizing minors, doxxing, and spam.
- Content Exceptions: Allows legitimate journalism, parody, and satire with factual and protective framing.
- Decentralized Model: Built on AT Protocol with algorithmic choice and “stackable moderation,” balancing user control and platform oversight.
- Scaling Safety Team: Trust and safety staff expanded from ~25 to 100 members to handle a 25–30M user base.
- Privacy & Copyright: Updated policies take effect September 15, 2025, without public consultation.
- Community Collaboration: Public input aims to address past moderation tensions and shape future platform culture.
The updates aim to improve clarity, align with global online safety regulations, and address ongoing concerns about platform culture.
The revision process includes a public consultation period, allowing users to submit feedback before the new Community Guidelines take effect on October 15, 2025.
Adapting to Global Safety Laws
Bluesky’s policy updates are shaped in part by compliance with major regulations such as the U.K.’s Online Safety Act, the EU’s Digital Services Act, and the U.S.’s TAKE IT DOWN Act.
These laws require platforms to strengthen content moderation, protect minors, and in some cases, verify user age before granting access to adult content.
In the U.K., for example, Bluesky users seeking adult content will need to verify their age via facial scan, ID upload, or payment card.
Changes to the Terms of Service
The revised Terms of Service expand the complaints and appeals process and introduce an “informal dispute resolution” option that allows phone discussions before formal action.
In certain harm-related cases, users will now have the option to resolve disputes in court rather than through mandatory arbitration — a departure from standard industry practice.
Updated Community Guidelines
The new guidelines are structured around four core principles: Safety First, Respect Others, Be Authentic, and Follow the Rules. Enforcement measures range from labeling or removing content to suspending or banning accounts, and in severe cases, notifying law enforcement.
Prohibited actions include,
- Promoting violence or harm (including self-harm and animal abuse)
- Posting illegal material
- Sexualizing minors, even in role-play
- Doxxing and other non-consensual data sharing
- Distributing spam or malicious content
Exceptions exist for legitimate journalism, parody, and satire, allowing coverage of sensitive topics when presented factually and with protective intent.
The guidelines also address emerging threats such as deepfake exploitation and content that incites discrimination or hatred based on protected characteristics.
Moderation Challenges
Some areas of the guidelines remain open to interpretation — such as defining “threat” or “abuse.” Bluesky’s moderation history has occasionally led to tensions with certain communities.
In one case, Palestinians raising funds during the Gaza humanitarian crisis saw posts flagged as spam due to repetitive patterns, prompting the grassroots “Verified by Molly Shah” initiative to help validate legitimate appeals.
Balancing Decentralization with Oversight
Bluesky operates on the AT Protocol, supporting decentralized architecture, algorithmic choice, and interoperability with external apps. Users can self-verify via domain-linked handles and apply “stackable moderation” — layered filters tailored to personal preferences.
While the platform promotes user empowerment, many members still expect Bluesky to take a lead role in moderation decisions.
Scaling for Growth
Bluesky’s user base has surged to an estimated 25–30 million, driven in part by migration from other networks.
The influx has also brought challenges — including automated bot activity, impersonation, and increased harmful content. In response, the trust and safety team has expanded from about 25 to 100 members.
Privacy and Copyright Updates
Alongside the guideline revisions, Bluesky has updated its Privacy Policy and Copyright Policy to align with international regulations on user rights, data handling, takedown requests, and transparency reporting.
These changes will take effect September 15, 2025, without a feedback period.
