Jack Dorsey Launches Bluesky Social As Invite-Only App: How Does It Differ From Twitter?

Jack Dorsey has launched Bluesky Social, an alternative to Twitter, on the iOS App Store. The app is currently accessible via an invite, but interested users can join the waitlist by submitting their email addresses.

Dorsey assures the platform prioritizes and maintains the privacy and security of users. Moreover, the company claims to not control the content and user data of the app. Let's see how Bluesky is different from Twitter and how it might change social media.

Bluesky Social Will Demonstrate AT Protocol?

Jack Dorsey was one of the founders of Twitter, a popular social media platform that allows users to post their thoughts. Since stepping away from Twitter, Dorsey has been developing an application powered by the open-source social protocol he created.

Bluesky Social relies on a protocol known as the Authenticated Transfer Protocol, or "AT Protocol". Simply put, Bluesky is a mobile app that demonstrates how the AT Protocol works.

Incidentally, one of Twitter's main rivals is Mastodon which relies on the ActivityPub protocol. Similarly, the AT Protocol lets developers create a federated and decentralized social network.

The Bluesky platform could be Dorsey's project to check how well the AT Protocol works. This could be the reason behind the limited access to developers and limiting usage by keeping the app invite-only.

Bluesky Isn't Out To Replace Twitter But Promote Free Speech?

Twitter has been progressively becoming a centralized platform. The social media platform has often been criticized for its policies, which stifle free speech and promote a one-sided narrative.

Dorsey has routinely claimed social media should be free of corporate or government control. He has regularly insisted that only the original author should have the power to remove their social-media content. Needless to mention, Twitter's policies contradict Dorsey's views.

It is not immediately clear if Bluesky will reflect Dorsey's views on free speech. Moreover, despite numerous alternatives, Twitter's usage has steadily increased after Elon Musk acquired the platform, fired its top executives, dissolved the entire board of directors, and appointed himself as the CEO.

Hence, it is hard to predict if Twitter users will flock to Bluesky in large enough numbers to intimidate the well-established and growing social media platform.