Two years after its debut, the social network Bluesky is implementing a sweeping revision of its Community Guidelines and platform policies. These updates, aimed at increasing transparency regarding user safety and appeals, are largely driven by global regulatory pressures, including the U.K.’s Online Safety Act (OSA), the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), and the U.S. TAKE IT DOWN Act.
Regulatory Compliance and Age Verification
To align with international safety laws, Bluesky’s Terms of Service now mandate stricter age assurance protocols. In jurisdictions like the U.K., where the Online Safety Act requires platforms to regulate adult content, Bluesky users may be required to verify their identity via facial scanning, government ID, or payment verification.
A New Approach to Dispute Resolution
Bluesky is distancing itself from the opaque moderation practices seen on larger platforms like Meta’s Facebook and Instagram. The company has introduced an “informal dispute resolution process,” committing to phone consultations with users before escalating to formal measures. Furthermore, in a departure from standard tech industry practices that favor mandatory arbitration, Bluesky will allow users to resolve certain harm claims in court.
Redefining Community Standards
The revised Community Guidelines, open for public feedback until October 15, 2025, are anchored in four pillars: Safety First, Respect Others, Be Authentic, and Follow the Rules. These principles dictate how the platform handles content labeling, account suspensions, and law enforcement referrals.
Balancing Moderation and Free Expression
While the rules prohibit violence, doxxing, nonconsensual data sharing, and the sexualization of minors, the platform has carved out explicit protections for journalism, parody, and satire. Journalists conducting factual reporting on criminal acts or public safety challenges retain the freedom to post content that might otherwise trigger automated moderation filters.
Addressing Platform Culture
These changes arrive as Bluesky faces mounting criticism regarding its community culture. The platform has been frequently scrutinized for negative news sharing, a lack of humor, and perceived ideological homogeneity. Historically, the company has struggled with moderation decisions involving the Black and trans communities, leading to accusations that the platform has become excessively left-leaning.
Despite the original vision of user-controlled, decentralized moderation—such as subscribable block lists—the user base continues to demand that the central trust and safety department take a more active role in policing behavior, often railing against the company when moderation outcomes fail to align with individual expectations.
Privacy and Copyright Updates
Beyond community guidelines, Bluesky has updated its Privacy Policy and Copyright Policy. These documents, which take effect on September 15, 2025, address critical areas such as data retention, cross-border data transfer, and transparency reporting, with no further feedback period allocated for these specific legal adjustments.