The European Union has accused Bluesky, a social media platform and Twitter alternative, of violating the Digital Services Act (DSA), which governs content regulation on online platforms. According to Reuters, the European Commission stated that Bluesky failed to provide legally required information under the DSA.
Specifically, Bluesky does not have a dedicated page on its website to disclose the number of users in the EU or its legal registration details. This omission has prompted the European Commission to request national authorities in member states to investigate Bluesky’s presence and activities in their respective jurisdictions.
Bluesky’s Response and Current Status
Bluesky responded to the EU’s accusation, stating that it is working to comply with the DSA rules and is consulting legal counsel to address the issue. Despite the violation, the platform is not classified as a “very large online platform” under DSA criteria, as it has fewer than 45 million users. Therefore, it does not yet face the stricter requirements applied to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) or Threads.
The DSA aims to ensure platforms are held accountable for the content they host. While Bluesky currently avoids some regulatory burdens due to its size, continued growth could bring it under closer EU scrutiny.
Bluesky’s Rise and Potential Challenges
Founded in 2019, Bluesky gained significant attention after Donald Trump’s U.S. presidential victory, as many X users sought alternatives to the Elon Musk-owned platform. Bluesky’s user base has grown from 15 million to 22.5 million, according to one of its developers, adds NIX Solutions.
As its popularity increases, Bluesky may face additional regulatory challenges, including compliance with stricter DSA standards. We’ll keep you updated as more developments unfold and as the platform adapts to these legal requirements.