“One nail drives out the other”, you could say! While Twitter is struggling with its takeover by the whimsical Elon Musk who laid off 70% of its workforce, here is Bluesky, the social network built on a new protocol that gives more control to its users, according to its creator. , Jack Dorsey, who is none other than the former CEO and co-founder of the blue bird. The tweets are going well and the job offers too!
The timing is perfect. While Twitter is suffering more and more since the arrival of Elon Musk at its head, Jack Dorsey, one of the founders of Twitter, is starting to create buzz with his new social network: Bluesky. But in fact, what does this new platform offer?
After the blue bird, Jack Dorsey remains in the blue. Bluesky, or blue sky in English, is the businessman’s new baby. The project was born in 2019, when Jack Dorsey was still at the head of Twitter. The social network has also funded Bluesky to the tune of 13 million dollars. ” Bluesky PBLLC, established this year, is an independent company focused on research and development in decentralized social networks “, however, made a point of specifying the team behind this project.
It was last April, when the future of the little blue bird’s social network was still uncertain. Last October, Bluesky announced the opening of a waiting list for Internet users curious to test the beta version of the project. A success, since in just two days, 30,000 people registered.
With Bluesky, Jack Dorsey wants to offer an “open and decentralized” social network, allowing different networks to be able to interact with each other, while respecting a common protocol. In this way, anyone can develop their own network with their moderation rules and algorithm.
In May 2022, the company unveiled its first protocol, Authenticated Data Experiment or ADX, renamed since Authenticated Transfer Protocol (“Authenticated Transfer Protocol”) or “AT Protocol”. Clearly, this system would provide access to several services, capable of communicating with each other thanks to decentralization.
Better control of algorithms
At the heart of Bluesky’s offering is the ability to control the algorithm: Algorithms dictate what we see and who we can reach. We must have control of our algorithms if we want to have confidence in our online spaces. The AT protocol includes an open algorithmic mode so users can better control their experience “, can we read on the Twitter account of the project. For the moment, no details have been given as to how to “control” this algorithm.
“A person’s online identity should not be held by companies that have no responsibility to their users”
Control is the key word in Bluesky’s speech. A good way to contrast with the reputation of current social networks. The project will allow a user to manage their data and store it wherever they want: “ A person’s online identity should not be held by companies that have no responsibility to their users. With the AT protocol, you can transfer your account from one provider to another without losing any of your data “.
In addition to attracting 30,000 potential new users, Bluesky also posted several job offers, at a time when Elon Musk laid off a good part of Twitter’s employees.