Twitter co-founder and Block CEO Jack Dorsey is not only working on new social apps like Bitchat and Sun Day, Read more
For the past 18 months, Rivian and Google engineers have been working together on a new project that is now Read more
Humans have found it hard to quit fossil fuels, which is why some argue that we’ll soon need to start Read more
Coal-fired power plants have made quite a mess over the past century. From climate change to health issues, they haven't Read more
Bluesky’s Recent Verification System Launch Sparks Questions
Bluesky recently announced the launch of its verification system, aiming to confirm the identity of notable individuals on the platform. Similar to Twitter’s previous verification process, Bluesky’s decentralized approach allows other organizations to independently verify users. However, many users are still unclear about how verification works.
Which Organizations Can Verify Users Besides Bluesky?
Bluesky has introduced “Trusted Verifiers,” such as The New York Times, to issue verification checks. However, the company has not disclosed other participating organizations or the selection criteria. The lack of information raises questions about the transparency of the verification process.
Tech and VC Heavyweights on the Horizon
Bluesky’s verification system is still in its early stages, with only a select few organizations like Wired and The Athletic granted Trusted Verifier status. CEO Jay Graber mentioned plans to expand the program to include more entities, but specifics remain undisclosed. The anticipation for a fully functional decentralized verification system is high among users.
Does Verification Equal Trustworthiness?
Twitter’s past verification badge system created a sense of prestige, leading to debates over who deserved verification. Bluesky aims to proactively authenticate notable accounts, but the criteria for determining such status are unclear. The mystery surrounding Bluesky’s approach adds to the intrigue, leaving users curious about the motives behind the verification process.
Questions Remain About Verification Selection
As with any verification rollout, attention shifts to who receives verification and why. The disparity between verified and non-verified accounts sparks curiosity and speculation. The verification process continues to evolve, with Bluesky’s methodology and decision-making process shrouded in secrecy.
When Bluesky revealed the launch of their verification feature, many expected to see blue checkmarks popping up everywhere. However, confusion arose when certain news outlets like CNN and The WSJ had the badge, while others like Politico and MSNBC did not (at least not yet!). This discrepancy can be attributed to Bluesky’s ongoing verification rollout process.
What does this mean for self-verification?
Before verification was officially introduced, Bluesky offered users an alternative way to confirm their identities using domains. This method is still in place and will continue to be an important part of verification on Bluesky, serving as an additional layer of verification.
What does this mean for those unofficially verifying users?
Some users, like Hunter Walker and Guan Yang, took it upon themselves to unofficially verify various media outlets, public figures, and celebrities. However, the future of these unofficial verifications remains uncertain as Bluesky’s official system comes into play.
What will happen if a Trusted Verifier abuses its privilege?
While Trusted Verifiers are expected to uphold ethical standards, there is no formal protocol in place for handling misconduct. Bluesky has acknowledged this concern and stated they can intervene if necessary.
Lastly, questions arose about Bluesky’s choice of a blue-and-white checkmark symbol for verification, similar to Twitter’s design. Despite considering other options like green, Bluesky ultimately decided that blue best suited their brand’s color palette.
Why the Traditional Checkmark for the Team’s Logo?
The team has not officially explained why it went with a traditional checkmark instead of a blue butterfly, for instance, as many have suggested. Likely, though, it’s just a matter of the check being a recognized symbol with an understood meaning.
