Bluesky cracks down on impersonation and identity fraud
- Bluesky has updated its impersonation policy after identifying significant impersonation issues among high-profile accounts.
- Under the new guidelines, impersonators and accounts without clear identification will be removed from the platform.
- This policy change aims to enhance user security and address the platform's verification challenges.
Recently, Bluesky, the social media platform, implemented an updated policy to tackle impersonation issues that have arisen with the surge in new users. The analysis by Alexios Mantzarlis from Cornell Tech revealed that nearly 44 percent of the top 100 most followed accounts on the platform were being impersonated. As a response, Bluesky is actively removing accounts that impersonate others or squat on handles. Unlike traditional verification systems, Bluesky allows users to verify their accounts by linking them to a personal domain, which involves a technical DNS record modification. While this method is more secure, it is also more complex than simply purchasing a verification checkmark. The platform is now also collaborating with organizations and well-known individuals to facilitate verified handles, providing more legitimacy and security to users. Additionally, parody, satire, or fan accounts must clearly label themselves as such to avoid being categorized as impersonators, which further emphasizes the platform's commitment to reducing confusion and potential scams. To discourage identity churning, Bluesky will ban accounts that change their identity post-impersonation. They are also exploring further options to enhance verification for users, but detailed plans for rollout are not finalized. This strategic shift by Bluesky represents a significant move to protect users and maintain the authenticity of interactions on the platform.