Bluesky, a social media platform praised for its decentralized setup, has recently faced pressure from the Turkish government to restrict certain accounts. The move came after many users in Turkey flocked to Bluesky, seeking an alternative to X, which had limited visibility for accounts tied to protests and government criticism. Now, Bluesky is honoring some of these takedown requests. But there’s a twist. These restrictions only seem to apply in the official Bluesky app, not in third-party clients.
The shift to Bluesky in Turkey started when X restricted dozens of accounts earlier this year. These included journalists, activists, and opposition voices hit by censorship under Turkey’s strict laws, often citing national security. Bluesky, with its promise of user control and openness, became a haven for those frustrated by X’s compliance with government demands. However, the platform’s own response to similar pressures has sparked debate.
Tech expert Sedat Kapanoğlu (@ssg.dev) dug into the issue and shared his findings on Bluesky. He wrote, “after a quick test with the help of Turkish users, it turns out country-level restrictions in bluesky are only implemented in the official app currently, and they don’t apply to third-party apps if they don’t implement them.” This means that while the official app blocks access to certain accounts based on location, users can still see that content through third-party clients like Skychat or Openvibe.
Turkey’s government has a history of cracking down on social media. Accounts critical of the ruling party or linked to protests often face bans. Bluesky’s partial compliance, limited to its own app, shows it’s not immune to these pressures. Yet, the loophole with third-party clients reveals a gap in enforcement. Since Bluesky allows developers to create alternative apps, users can bypass restrictions by switching platforms.
So for now, Turkish users have options. They can use VPNs or third-party apps to access restricted content.
Dwayne Cubbins
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For nearly a decade, I've been deciphering the complexities of the tech world, with a particular passion for helping users navigate the ever-changing tech landscape. From crafting in-depth guides that unlock your phone's hidden potential to uncovering and explaining the latest bugs and glitches, I make sure you get the most out of your devices. And yes, you might occasionally find me ranting about some truly frustrating tech mishaps.
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