Bluesky, the decentralized social platform competing with X and Threads, has announced a major update to how it handles moderation. The platform has grown quickly, and the team says the new system is designed to improve transparency, track violations more accurately and support safer conversations across the network.
The latest update (v. 1.110) also includes a redesigned reply control tool and a dark-mode app icon, but the main focus is strengthening community safety.
Why Bluesky Is Changing Its Moderation System
As the platform continues to expand, Bluesky says it needs clearer standards for user behavior. The team highlighted that people use the platform for everything – from meeting new people to sharing creative work – but online communication sometimes leads to comments that users would not make in person.
Recent controversies around moderation decisions have also increased pressure on Bluesky to clarify how rules are applied. The new system aims to make actions more consistent, predictable and easier for users to unserstand.
More Reporting Options for Users
Bluesky has expanded the reporting categories from six to nine. This gives users more accurate ways to report harmful content and helps moderators respond faster.
New categories include issues such as youth harassment, bullying, eating disorders and possible human trafficking content. These updates help Bluesky meet new online safety laws designed to protect minors and vulnerable groups.
Better Tools for Tracking Violations
Bluesky has improved its internal tools so all violations and enforcement actions are tracked on one system. This allows the platform to take action more consistently and provide clear information to users about what happened.
The company says that while the rules themselves are not changing, the enforcement tools are more advanced, which supports fairer and more transparent decisions.
Updated Strike System
The updated strike system now assigns each violation a severity level.
Examples:
- Critical risk content can lead to a permanent ban.
- Medium or lower severity may result in temporarily penalties.
- Accounts with repeated violations may face long-term or permanent removal.
Users will receive notifications explaining:
- which guideline they violated
- the severity level
- their total violation count
- how close they are to further action
- suspension time and end date
Users can also appeal enforcement actions.
Community Concerns and Ongoing Challenges
The moderation updates follow earlier Community Guideline changes and growing pressure from users who want stronger action on harmful or offensive content. Some members remain unhappy about certain accounts that remain active on the platform, leading to debates about fairness, expression and platform identity.
Bluesky aims to avoid becoming a single political or ideological space. Instead, it wants to support multiple communities while avoiding the toxic behavior that has become common on X. This balance has become increasingly difficult as new global online safety laws place strict obligations on social platforms.
Legal Pressures and Platform Responsibilities
Bluesky must now navigate evolving online safety regulations. Earlier this year, the platform even blocked access in Mississippi because it could not comply with the state’s age assurance law, which carried penalties of up to $10,000 per user.
As the platform grows, Bluesky needs to adapt quickly to ensure user safety while staying true to its decentralized vision.
Bluesky’s new moderation updates mark an important shift toward stronger safety, clearer communication and more transparency. With improved reporting tools, a better strike system and clearer notifications, the platform aims to build a healthier community while meeting rising legal standards. These changes show Bluesky’s effort to create a safe, open and responsible space for all users.
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