Bluesky Prepares for Election Day as X Shifts Toward Pro-Trump Content

As the U.S. presidential election approaches, Bluesky, a growing social networking platform, is positioning itself as a trusted alternative for reliable election information, contrasting with Elon Musk’s X, which has seen an increase in pro-Trump content. With a dedicated Trust and Safety team, Bluesky is implementing a range of measures to address potential election misinformation and ensure a secure, transparent experience for users on Election Day.

Bluesky, a decentralized social platform, is gearing up for its most significant challenge yet: maintaining an accurate, safe space for election coverage while mitigating the spread of misinformation. This preparation comes amid shifts in the social media landscape, including Meta’s Threads moving away from political discussions and X’s more prominent alignment with pro-Trump narratives, partly due to recent changes in its moderation policies.

The company recently hired Aaron Rodericks, a former Twitter executive with extensive experience in election safety, as its head of Trust and Safety. Rodericks, who previously co-led Twitter’s efforts in this area, has been instrumental in Bluesky’s readiness strategy. His team has announced plans for handling potentially misleading election-related content, outlining a protocol for flagging, labeling, and reviewing posts on the platform.

Bluesky users are encouraged to report misleading or urgent content directly through the app, where posts flagged as election-related are prioritized for review. Posts that could not be immediately verified will be marked as “unconfirmed,” with labels to guide users on possible misinformation. Bluesky also plans to act against content promoting interference in the voting process, such as sharing incorrect voter ID requirements.

Bluesky’s approach to moderation stands out due to its decentralized nature, allowing users to tailor their online experiences and even choose alternative moderation services if they disagree with Bluesky’s policies. This flexibility is part of Bluesky’s vision to empower users in ways centralized platforms, like X and Threads, do not offer.

To manage increased traffic and maintain a smooth experience, Bluesky has expanded its moderation and support teams, an indication of the company’s commitment to scaling its efforts in response to the anticipated surge in user engagement around Election Day. CEO Jay Graber has hinted at the team’s growth, with the platform continuing to draw users from other social media sites.