Bluesky says users will be able to run their own moderation services

Bluesky, the Twitter alternative and an open-source platform, has introduced a stackable moderation feature that allows its users to have their own custom moderation filters. It’s a significant step forward for the budding social media platform, enlightening its users and developers on how they can create custom labeling tools.

Stackable moderation services on Bluesky will give users plenty of control

The development of new moderation tools started when Bluesky was experiencing rapid growth. The platform recently opened up to all users. With about 2 million new subscribers, Bluesky’s community now has over 5 million members.

It is envisaged by Bluesky that if it follows the philosophy of user-driven moderation, it would build an environment where communities are the main determiners of what happens in their online spaces, based on their cultural values and preferences. The platform will also enable users to set up their moderation preferences and plug into others’ custom-developed filtering systems.

These customized moderation tools, termed as labeling services, allow users to decide what kind of content they want to filter out, thereby making content less offensive or more interesting depending on individual preferences. For instance, a user might choose a service like “Spider Shield,” which eliminates any photographs showing spiders from his feed as this may help cater to personal tastes and phobias.

To enable these personally tailored experiences, Ozone–Bluesky’s collaborative labeling tool is now available as an open-source extension. Moderation groups can use this tool to respond to reports and apply labels to implement community-driven practices. Moreover, programmers may use Bluesky’s API to create automated labeling systems.

Users can compose stacked filters over the company’s baseline oversight

Jay Graber, the CEO of Bluesky, has adopted a “composable” or “stackable” moderation strategy. The approach may involve establishing a baseline level of oversight. Users can then customize it according to their needs and preferences. In a recent interview with Protocol.com, Graber mentioned that more partnerships with third-party moderators are coming soon to desktops. Mobile integration should come later on.

With this new moderation framework, Bluesky will change forever. The platform continues building and will soon offer a variety of content filters, customizable by each user. Developers and teams who access these tools will make the platform’s socializing experience more dynamic.