Bluesky Has a Death Threat Problem

Jesse Singal's experience on Bluesky, a social media platform marketed as a kinder alternative to X (formerly Twitter), reveals significant issues with the site's moderation policies regarding violent threats. After joining Bluesky, Singal encountered a hostile environment filled with aggressive users who issued death threats and attempted doxxing against him. Despite reporting these threats to Bluesky's moderation team, he found their response inadequate and slow, with some threatening posts remaining visible for hours. Singal noted that the volume and specificity of the threats he received on Bluesky were unprecedented compared to his experiences on other platforms. He criticized Bluesky for either neglecting to enforce its community guidelines or lacking the capability to manage violent behavior effectively. The situation escalated to the point where users circulated what they believed was his home address, prompting Singal to alert Bluesky's moderators multiple times without receiving timely assistance. Ultimately, he expressed concern that Bluesky's approach to moderation could foster a dangerous environment, undermining its reputation as a safer alternative to X.

- Jesse Singal faced severe threats and doxxing on Bluesky, contradicting its image as a safer platform.

- Bluesky's moderation team was slow to respond to reports of violent threats, raising concerns about user safety.

- The volume of threats Singal received was notably higher than his experiences on other social media platforms.

- Singal criticized Bluesky for its ineffective enforcement of community guidelines regarding violent behavior.

- The incident highlights potential risks associated with emerging social media platforms and their moderation practices.