Bluesky is adding a new check mark verification system with "Trusted Verifiers"
Bluesky is introducing a new verification system that moves away from a centralized or subscription-based model like the one used by X. The change was revealed through a GitHub pull request and later confirmed by the company. Bluesky's system will feature multiple "Trusted Verifiers," which could include news organizations and other established groups, in addition to Bluesky itself. Verified users will be marked with a blue circle and white check mark, while Trusted Verifiers will have a distinct scalloped blue badge. Users can click on a checkmark to see who verified an account, promoting transparency and avoiding X's criticized paid-verification model, which led to impersonation issues.
Despite aligning with Bluesky's decentralized philosophy, the new system has faced criticism from users. Many argue it resembles the centralized model they left behind on platforms like X, preferring the current domain name-based verification as it aligns more with the open web ethos. Critics also suggest that visual badges could give undue authority to centralized actors, including Bluesky.
It's also worth mentioning that the system will not be monetized, and users will have the option to hide all blue check marks, offering more control compared to X's approach, where users can only hide their own badge.
Our take: Edited to add the official statement from the company.
- Social Network
- Free • Open Source
Related news
External links
- A New Form of Verification on BlueskyBluesky • Official source
- alice (@__justplaying) Thread on Bluesky@alice.mosphere.at on Bluesky
- Bluesky plans blue check system with trusted verifiersTech in Asia
- Angry, disappointed users react to Bluesky's upcoming blue check mark verification systemNeowin
- Bluesky may soon add blue check verificationTechCrunch
Comments
Bluesky is worth using if you want to laugh at some really, REALLY stupid takes.
All the smart takes are on X, uttered by his excellency Elon Musk. The guy's gonna fix everything, and he's got electrolytes! So don't forget to pray to the lord Dork Maga today 🙏
And so the enshittification begins...
I don't used LinkedIn because they required my account to go through a "trusted verifier," such as CLEAR or Persona.
This is a problem because of the horrible privacy laws in the USA and their privacy policies. There is no guarantee that they will not save the 3d face recognition they use, and sell it before their deletion date. Even when their privacy policy says they don't sell to "third parties," that does not include their own subsidiaries or entities. So they can literally pass on your information without you knowing, and without violating U.S. law or basic contractual law.