WEBDESK: Bluesky, a rising social media platform founded by Twitter’s former CEO Jack Dorsey, has introduced a new verification system, on Monday, to help users identify real and trusted accounts. This update comes as the platform continues to grow, aiming to provide a safe and authentic space for its users.
In a blog post, the company said it would “proactively verify authentic and notable accounts and display a blue check next to their names”.
“Trust is everything,” the team said in the post.
The new Bluesky feature includes blue check marks for people who are considered “authentic and notable.” These could be public figures such as government officials, journalists, and celebrities. The goal is to prevent fake accounts and impersonation, which have become common problems on social media.
Previously, the platform allowed users to verify their identity by linking a custom domain to their profile. But now, the platform itself will actively verify well-known individuals and add a blue check to their profiles.
“Social media has connected us in powerful ways, but it hasn’t always given us the tools to know who we’re interacting with or why we should trust them,” the Bluesky team said in its post.
Bluesky did not see the light of day until 2023, the year after Twitter was bought by Musk – a key ally of US President Donald Trump who has pushed misinformation on his platform since his takeover.
The team said in a post early this year that it had grown to more than 30 million users.
Bluesky is also partnering with trusted organisations like The New York Times and WIRED. These groups will get a unique scalloped check mark, and they can verify people connected to their companies – like reporters or editors. This makes it easier for users to trust who they’re interacting with.
This approach is very different from X (formerly known as Twitter), which charges people to get a check mark. Bluesky wants verification to be based on trust and authenticity, not money.
With this move, Bluesky is making it clear that it wants to be a platform where users can feel confident about who they’re talking to.
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