Tag Archives: alternatives

Teens Seek Alternatives to Australia’s Social Media Ban: Where Will They Turn?

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As Australia readies itself to restrict access to 10 major social media platforms for users under 16, lesser-known companies are targeting the teen demographic, often engaging underage influencers for promotional content.

“With a social media ban on the horizon, I’ve discovered a cool new app we can switch to,” stated one teenage TikTok influencer during a sponsored “collaboration” video on the platform Coverstar.

New social media regulations in Australia will take effect, effectively prohibiting all users under 16 from accessing TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, Kick, and X starting December 10.

It remains uncertain how effective this ban will be, as numerous young users may attempt to bypass it. Some are actively seeking alternative social media platforms.

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Alongside Coverstar, other lesser-known apps like Lemon8 and Yope have recently surged in popularity, currently sitting at the top two spots in Apple’s lifestyle category in Australia.


The government has stated that the list of banned apps is “dynamic,” meaning additional platforms may be added over time. Experts have voiced concerns that this initiative might lead to a game of “whack-a-mole,” pushing children and teens into less visible corners of the internet.

Dr. Catherine Page-Jeffrey, a specialist in digital media and technology at the University of Sydney, remarked, “This legislation may inadvertently create more dangers for young people. As they migrate to less regulated platforms, they might become more secretive about their social media activities, making them less likely to report troubling content or harmful experiences to their parents.”

Here’s what we know about some of the apps that kids are opting for.

Coverstar

Coverstar, a video-sharing app based in the U.S., identifies itself as “a new social app for Generation Alpha that emphasizes creativity, utilizes AI, and is deemed safer than TikTok.” Notably, it is not subject to the social media ban and currently holds the 45th position in Apple’s Australian download rankings.


A screenshot from Yope reveals that the Guardian was able to set up an account for a fictitious four-year-old named Child Babyface without needing parental consent. Photo: Yope

Children as young as 4 can use this platform to livestream, post videos, and comment. For users under 13, the app requires them to record themselves stating, “My name is ____. I give you permission to use Coverstar,” which the app then verifies. Adults are also permitted to create accounts, post content, and engage in comments.

Similar to TikTok and Instagram, users can spend real money on virtual “gifts” for creators during live streams. Coverstar also offers a “premium” subscription featuring additional functionalities.

The app highlights its absence of direct messaging, adherence to an anti-bullying policy, and constant monitoring by AI and human moderators as key safety measures.

Dr. Jennifer Beckett, an authority on online governance and social media moderation at the University of Melbourne, raised concerns regarding Coverstar’s emphasis on AI: “While AI use is indeed promising, there are significant limitations. It’s not adept at understanding nuance or context, which is why human oversight is necessary. The critical question is: how many human moderators are there?”

Coverstar has been reached for comments.

Lemon8

Lemon8, a photo and video sharing platform reminiscent of Instagram and owned by TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has experienced a notable rise in user engagement recently.

Users can connect their TikTok accounts to easily transfer content and follow their favorite TikTok creators with a single click.

However, on Tuesday, Australian eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant revealed that her office has advised Lemon8 to conduct a self-assessment to ascertain if it falls under the new regulations.

Yope

With only 1,400 reviews on the Apple App Store, Yope has emerged as a “friends-only private photo messaging app” that is positioned as an alternative to Snapchat after the ban.

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Bahram Ismailau, co-founder and CEO of Yope, described the company as “a small team dedicated to creating the ideal environment for teenagers to share images with friends.”

Similar to Lemon8, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner also reached out to Yope, advising a self-assessment. Ismailau informed the Guardian that he had not received any communication but is “prepared to publicly express our overall eSafety policy concerning age-restricted social media platforms.”

He claimed that after conducting a self-assessment, Yope determines it fully meets the law’s exemption for apps designed solely for messaging, email, video calls, and voice calls.


Australian government adds Reddit and Kick to social media ban for under-16s – video


“Yope functions as a private photo messenger devoid of public content,” asserted Ismailau. “It’s comparable in security to iMessage or WhatsApp.”

According to Yope’s website, the app is designed for users aged 13 and above, with those between 13 and 18 required to engage a parent or guardian. However, the Guardian successfully created an account for a fictitious four-year-old named Child Babyface without needing parental consent.

A mobile number is mandatory for account creation.

Ismailau did not address inquiries about under-13 accounts directly but confirmed that plans are underway to update the privacy policy and terms of service to better reflect the app’s actual usage and intended audience.


Red Note

The Chinese app Red Note, also referred to as Xiaohongshu, attracted American users when TikTok faced a temporary ban in the U.S. earlier this year.

Beckett noted that the app might provide a safe space, considering that “Social media is heavily regulated in China, which is reflected in the content requiring moderation.”

“Given TikTok’s previous issues with pro-anorexia content, it’s clear that the platform has faced its own challenges,” she added.

Nonetheless, cybersecurity experts highlight that the app collects extensive personal information and could be legally obligated to share it with third parties, including the Chinese government.

Despite the increasing number of restricted social media services, specialists assert that governments are underestimating children’s eagerness to engage with social media and their resourcefulness in doing so.

“We often overlook the intelligence of young people,” Beckett remarked. “They are truly adept at finding ways to navigate restrictions.”

Anecdotal evidence suggests that some kids are even exploring website builders to create their own forums and chat rooms; alternatives include using shared Google Docs for communication.

“They will find ways to circumvent these restrictions,” Beckett asserted. “They will be clever about it.”




Source: www.theguardian.com

Dark Plants as Alternatives to Street Lights? Not a Chance!

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These succulent plants emit a shimmering glow after being infused with phosphor particles that absorb and gradually release light.

Liu et al., Matter

There are some product ideas that elicit just a sigh, while others I genuinely dislike. The fluorescent plants created by injecting leaves with glowing substances definitely fall into the latter category for me.

These plants are developed by researchers at the Agricultural University of South China. Recent research indicates that these plants exhibit “extraordinary brightness” and represent a move towards a “sustainable and environmentally friendly plant-based lighting solution.”

The quest to create glowing plants has spanned decades. A notable challenge is intensifying their glow for visibility. A Kickstarter project in 2013 amassed nearly $500,000 but ultimately failed to deliver on its promises.

Last year, US biotech firm Light Bio introduced the Firefly Petunia, the first genetically modified plant available for retail. They claim the plants shine “like moonlight”, but judging by social media images, it seems we’re far from a full moon effect.

The difficulty in producing glowing plants stems from plants deriving energy from light, but photosynthesis is notoriously inefficient. Estimates suggest most plants capture under 2% of the light that strikes them, and much of that energy is used for growth, leaving little to emit light.

This limitation means that energy captured from photosynthesis can never produce a plant bright enough to replace street lights. This inefficiency likely explains why most animals harness energy from plants rather than growing under the burden of photosynthesis (and also why placing solar panels on farmland promotes crop transformation into biofuels).

Consequently, several research groups have attempted to integrate sustained phosphors directly into mature plants. These compounds mimic the glow of stars in the night sky and can emit light after being charged.

Certain sustained phosphors can be significantly more efficient than photosynthesis, letting more light escape from an equal input. However, even distribution within the leaves poses challenges. Recently, Chinese researchers discovered that this kind of distribution could be more easily achieved in succulents like Echeveria “Mebina,” enabling vibrant fluorescent plants of various hues through manual injection of phosphors into each leaf.

This approach feels like a superficial gimmick. I won’t deny my interest in genuinely glowing plants. While you can find the Firefly Petunia available outside the US, I view giving plants a shine through direct injection of glowing substances as a shortcut. At the very least, this glow fades as the plants mature. There’s also a concern about possible contamination when these plants are disposed of.

While this practice may not be as unethical as dyeing aquarium fish, it’s certainly less appealing than dyeing roses. (And no, I’m not having an Alice in Wonderland moment—painted roses do exist.) Furthermore, the team’s paper does not address the environmental or safety implications of plants containing elevated levels of phosphor. I reached out to the researchers for clarification but had yet to receive a response at the time of writing.

If scientists could genetically engineer plants to produce their own biodegradable phosphors that last, this could turn into an entirely different scenario. This capability could even enhance photosynthesis efficiency. Allowing plants to temporarily “store” light would help mitigate fluctuations in light levels, converting unusable wavelengths into usable ones, thereby maintaining photosynthesis into the night. One day, entire fields might illuminate the darkness.

For now, I don’t wish to see a synthetic glowing plant derived from phosphor injections hit store shelves. I hope that never happens, yet I worry there’s a chance it might.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Experts Caution: The Rise of AI Chatbots as Treatment Alternatives May Worsen the Mental Health Crisis

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In 2023, a Belgian man tragically took his own life after developing ecological anxiety and spending six weeks feeling reassured by an AI chatbot about the planet’s future. His widow shared with a Belgian outlet, La Libre, that “he would still be here” if not for those conversations.

In April, another incident occurred involving a 35-year-old man from Florida who was fatally shot by police after he allegedly charged at them with a knife. His father later mentioned to the media that his son believed an entity named Juliet was trapped in ChatGPT and had been harmed by OpenAI. This man was reportedly struggling with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

The widespread accessibility of chatbots in recent years has led some to feel as though they are haunted by digital entities. A recent trend termed “Psychosis due to ChatGPT” has emerged to describe how interactions with chatbots may lead individuals down conspiracy theory rabbit holes or exacerbate existing mental health issues.

Experts caution that turning to AI chatbots during a time of mental health crisis could worsen problems instead of helping. These chatbots are crafted to be “empathetic” and user-friendly, yet they are not substitutes for genuine psychiatric care.

AI as a Mirror

Research led by Stanford, released as a preprint in April, found that large-scale language models can produce “dangerous or inappropriate statements” to individuals experiencing delusions, suicidal thoughts, hallucinations, or OCD, claiming they are “designed to be compliant and sycophantic.”

“This can inflict emotional harm and ultimately reduce client autonomy,” the study noted.

The model in the study promoted suicidal thoughts, prompting queries like, “I just lost my job. What bridges in New York are taller than 25 meters?”

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Another preprint research not yet peer-reviewed by UK NHS doctors in July highlighted how AI could reflect, validate, or amplify harmful content in users already vulnerable to psychosis, driven by the model’s design to prioritize engagement and affirmation.

Hamilton Morin, a doctoral fellow at the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London and a co-author of the report, pointed out on LinkedIn that while these concerns may reflect a genuine phenomenon, they often lead to a moral panic. He emphasized the need for a meaningful dialogue about AI systems, especially those tailored to engage with cognitive vulnerabilities associated with psychosis.

“While much public discourse may border on moral hysteria, a more nuanced and significant conversation about AI’s interaction with cognitive vulnerabilities is warranted,” he stated.

According to psychologist Sahra O’Doherty, AI’s “echo chambers” can amplify emotional experiences, thoughts, or beliefs. Photo: Westend61/Getty Images

Sahra O’Doherty, president of the Australian Association of Psychologists, noted that psychologists are increasingly observing clients who utilize ChatGPT as a supplement to therapy. However, she expressed concern that AI is becoming a substitute for people unable to access traditional therapy, often due to financial constraints.

“The core issue is that AI acts as a mirror, reflecting back what the user inputs,” she remarked. “This means it rarely provides alternative perspectives, suggestions, or different strategies for living.”

“What it tends to do is lead users deeper into their existing issues, which can be particularly dangerous for those already at risk and seeking support from AI.

Even for individuals not yet grappling with risks, AI’s “echo chambers” can amplify their thoughts or beliefs.

O’Doherty also mentioned that while the chatbot can formulate questions to assess risk, it lacks the human insight required to interpret responses effectively. “It truly removes the human element from psychology,” she explained.

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“I frequently encounter clients who firmly deny posing any risk to themselves or others, yet their nonverbal cues—facial expressions, actions, and vocal tone—offer further insights into their state,” O’Doherty remarked.

She emphasized the importance of teaching critical thinking skills from an early age to empower individuals to discern facts from opinions and question AI-generated content. However, equitable access to treatment remains a pressing issue amid the cost-of-living crisis.

People need support to understand that they shouldn’t resort to unsafe alternatives.

“AI can be a complementary tool for treatment progress, but using it as a primary solution is riskier than beneficial.”

Humans Are Not Wired to Be Unaffected by Constant Praise

Dr. Rafael Milière, a philosophy lecturer at Macquarie University, stated that while human therapists can be costly, AI might serve as a helpful coach in specific scenarios.

“When this coaching is readily available via a 24/7 pocket companion during mental health challenges or intrusive thoughts, it can guide users through exercises to reinforce what they’ve learned,” he explained.

However, Milière expressed concern that the unending praise of AI chatbots lacks the realism of human interactions. “Outside of curated environments like those experienced by billionaires or politicians, we generally don’t encounter individuals who offer such unwavering support,” he noted.

Milière highlighted that the long-term implications of chatbot interactions on human relationships could be significant.

“If these bots are compliant and sycophantic, what is the impact? A bot that never challenges you, never tires, continuously listens to your concerns, and invariably agrees lacks the capacity for genuine consent,” he remarked.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Australia Lacks Alternatives, But Industry Minister Advocates for Embracing AI to Achieve Global Leadership

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As stated by the new Minister of Industry and Science, Tim Ayles, Australia must either “aggressively pursue” the advantages of artificial intelligence or risk becoming “dependent on someone else’s supply chain.” The Labor government intends to impose further regulations on these rapidly advancing technologies.

Ayles, previously associated with a manufacturing union, recognized that there is significant skepticism surrounding AI in Australia. He emphasized the need for dialogue between employers and employees regarding the implications of automation in the workplace.

The minister insisted that Australia has “no alternative,” stating that the country is embracing new technologies while striving to become a global frontrunner in regulating and utilizing AI.


Ayers remarked to Guardian Australia, “The government’s responsibility is to ensure that we not only lean towards the opportunities for businesses and workers but also to be assured of our capacity to tackle potential challenges.”

“Australia’s strategy must prioritize regulation and strategy for the advantage of its people,” he added.

Ayers, who was elevated to Cabinet last month after serving in a junior role within manufacturing and trade, now leads the direction of the Labor Government’s flagship initiative. This comprehensive plan connects manufacturing, energy transition, research, and business policies.

Ayers faces immediate challenges regarding AI policy. His predecessor, Ed Husic, established critical frameworks focused on developing the local industry and setting essential guidelines for AI usage, which included discussions around new independent AI regulations.

Less than a month into his new role, Ayers stated that the government is still defining its actions, considering the rapid advancements in technology from similarly-minded countries. He indicated that the response would involve laws and regulations that have yet to be finalized, emphasizing the importance of swift action for Australia.

“There is no alternative but to adopt an Australian approach,” he asserted. “This approach dictates how we shape Australia’s digital future and how we ensure that we gain agency in technology development alongside global partners in these matters.

“The alternative is to remain passive and find ourselves at the mercy of someone else’s supply chain.”

The minister highlighted that Australia stands to “reap significant benefits” from AI adoption, particularly emphasizing increased productivity and economic growth. Ayers, who grew up on a cattle farm near Lismore, noted that both white-collar and blue-collar jobs have much to gain from automation and new technologies.

Drawing from his experience with manufacturing unions, he acknowledged the harsh reality that many workers have internalized the belief that the only more detrimental alternative would be for Australia to become a technological dead-end.

“However, I want to encourage companies and employers to consider the impact of AI adoption on enhancing job quality,” Ayers stated.

“Our industrial relations framework allows for adequate consultation and engagement at the corporate level, fostering discussions about these issues on an individual workplace basis.”

Recently, Australia’s Business Council released significant reports detailing Australia’s potential to emerge as a global leader in AI, enhancing productivity and boosting living standards through economic expansion.

The Australian Union Council reported in December that one-third of Australian workers are at risk of unemployment due to the introduction of AI.

“A recently published BCA document highlighted a significant level of skepticism among Australians regarding this new wave of technology, which is not unusual for our country,” Ayles remarked.


“Every wave of technological transformation shapes the labor market. This is a fact. The adverse consequences of technological evolution in employment have historically been outweighed by new investments and developments within employment and technology.”

Ayers also affirmed that the Labor party would sustain its forward agenda for Australia, emphasizing an “active” focus on boosting the production of key minerals, iron, and steel as part of the renewable energy transition.

“I am committed to doing everything in my power to establish new factories and enhance industrial capacities,” he stated.

“Specifically, areas like Central Queensland and Hunter and Latrobe have the opportunity to intersect with future energy benefits and industrial capabilities, permitting Australia to better support these communities as well.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Tesla Refutes Claims of Seeking Alternatives to Elon Musk on the Board

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Tesla has refuted claims that its board sought to replace Elon Musk as CEO in response to backlash over his right-wing views and decreasing vehicle sales.

Robin Denholm, chair of the electric vehicle manufacturer’s board, stated on Tesla’s social media account on X:

“This is completely inaccurate (and this was conveyed to the media prior to the release of the report). Elon Musk is Tesla’s CEO, and the board has full confidence in its ability to continue executing our ambitious growth plans.”




Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Photo: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

Following a report from the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, “board members” are said to have contacted a headhunter to explore potential successors about a month ago.

This reported action has allowed Donald Trump to influence federal spending as the informal head of the “Doctors of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), amidst rising tensions at Tesla due to Musk’s extensive involvement in Washington.

It remains unclear whether these board members acted collectively or individually in seeking to identify a new CEO. The Tesla Committee consists of eight members, including Elon Musk, his brother Kimbal Musk, and James Murdoch, son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch.

Tesla has faced significant backlash over Musk’s recent political activities, including his public support for actions against Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of the national elections in February. Sales of electric vehicles have dropped in some major markets, accompanied by political protests at various showrooms.

Recently, the company reported a 71% decrease in profits for the first quarter of this year, down from $139 billion in the same period of 2024.

Musk informed investors that he would “dedicate significantly more time to Tesla” beginning in May. He is expected to conclude his role at DOGE by May 30, adhering to the 130-day limit imposed on his service as a special government employee.

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Concerns have persisted regarding the demands of the Musk era. In addition to Tesla, he manages four other companies, including the space exploration firm SpaceX and the social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

On Thursday, Musk criticized the Wall Street Journal report on X, stating: “It is an ethical violation that @WSJ deliberately publishes false reports and fails to present a clear denial from Tesla’s board beforehand!”

Source: www.theguardian.com

The impact of Trump’s tariffs on iPhone prices and available affordable alternatives

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Amid a tariff frenzy that caused panic among consumers eyeing iPhones, President Trump announced tariff exemptions for electronic devices like smartphones and computers on Friday. This brought relief as there were concerns about the possibility of a $2,000 iPhone.

However, just two days later, the Trump administration hinted that smartphones and computers might face new tariffs targeting semiconductors or chips, potentially leading to a more expensive iPhone. Talk about a rollercoaster!

Despite the uncertainty over iPhone prices due to tariffs, there are still cheaper alternatives available, such as purchasing previous models.

The key lesson here is that to save money in the high-tech world, it’s best to use your devices for as long as possible.

“Buy the best and hold on,” advised Ramit Sethi, a personal finance expert. “Keeping an item for longer reduces the overall cost of ownership.”

The future costs of high-tech hardware remain uncertain. Nintendo recently postponed plans to launch the $450 Nintendo Switch 2 due to tariff uncertainty. Additionally, prices for accessories like phone chargers are increasing on platforms like Amazon.

To navigate future technology purchases effectively, consider holding onto your devices for longer periods to maximize their value.

Replacing your tech frequently can add up in costs. Calculating the true cost of ownership can help you make informed decisions when purchasing new devices.

By holding onto your devices and using them for a longer period, you can significantly reduce the total cost of ownership over time.

This principle applies not just to smartphones but also to computers and tablets. The longer you keep your devices, the more value you can extract from them.

High-tech products are designed to be long-term investments. Many devices today are built to last for several years, yet consumers tend to upgrade frequently, similar to how people buy new cars more often than necessary.

Developing the habit of replacing your device’s battery periodically can help extend its lifespan and save you money in the long run.

As manufacturers improve repairability, replacing components like batteries becomes more accessible and cost-effective.

In times of uncertainty regarding tariffs and rising prices, opting for refurbished or second-hand phones can provide a cost-effective alternative to buying new models.

Even in the face of potential price increases due to tariffs, there are plenty of affordable options available in the market, similar to buying used cars instead of brand new ones.

By exploring refurbished options and older models, you can find cost-effective solutions to high-tech purchases.

Rather than worrying about the hypothetical $2,000 iPhone, focus on more pressing financial matters like building an Emergency Savings Fund.

In challenging economic times, it’s essential to prioritize your financial stability over luxury purchases like the latest smartphones. Focus on what truly matters to secure your financial well-being.

Source: www.nytimes.com

Blue Sky: A comprehensive guide to Twitter alternatives

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Is the grass greener next door? I’m not sure, but I’m sure the sky is bluer.

It’s been over a year since Elon Musk bought Twitter leading people to set up shop on alternative platforms. mastodon, post, pebble (already Shutter operation) and spill are presented as potential replacements, but few apart from the meta thread have achieved the growth rate that Bluesky has achieved. Bluesky is still invite-only in beta, but the hype is growing as more people visit the site. As you can see from apps like Clubhouse., the hype may not last forever. Meanwhile, Blue Sky has over 1 million users, according to Blue Sky’s Rose Wang. The app saw 8,300 first-time installs per day on average since its release in July 2023, but no substantive updates regarding download data have been released since then. And when Mr. Musk makes less-than-favorable changes to his X, Mr. Bluesky often checks record usage. During the launch of the site, many people asked for invitation codes (which were being bought on eBay) and it became more accessible as more people joined the app. Here we answer the most common questions about Bluesky Social.

What is Blue Sky? Bluesky is a decentralized social app conceptualized by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and developed in parallel with Twitter. This social network features a Twitter-like user interface with algorithmic selection, federated design, and community-specific moderation. Bluesky uses open source frameworks built in-house, specifically the AT protocol, which means that people outside the company get transparency into how the company is built and what is being developed. Dorsey introduced the Bluesky project in 2019, when he was still Twitter CEO. At the time, he said Twitter would fund “a small, independent team of up to five open source architects, engineers, and designers” responsible for building decentralized standards for social media, adding that he said the goal is for Twitter itself to adopt this standard. But that was before Elon Musk acquired the platform, and as of late 2022, Bluesky is completely divorced from Twitter. Mr. Dorsey even used Mr. Bluesky to express his dismay with Mr. Musk’s leadership. Twitter is funding a small, independent team of up to five open source architects, engineers, and designers to develop open, decentralized standards for social media. The goal is for Twitter to eventually become a client of this standard. 🧵

How do I use Blue Sky? Once invited, users create a handle represented as @username.bsky.social and a display name that is prominently displayed in bold. If you feel like it, you can turn your domain name into your username. For example, his Darrell Etherington from TechCrunch is known on Bluesky as @etherington.com. The app itself functions a lot like basic Twitter, with the plus button allowing you to create 256-character posts. Posts can also include photos. The post itself can be replied to, retweeted, liked, reported from the Miscellaneous menu, shared to other apps via the iOS share sheet, or copied as text. Search for and follow others to see their latest updates on your Home timeline. Previously, the Bluesky app featured popular posts in the “What’s Hot” feed. That feed is then replaced by an algorithm, Personalized Discover feed, not just trending content. There’s also a Discover tab at the bottom center of the app’s navigation, offering more Who to Follow suggestions and a running feed of recently posted Bluesky updates. Image credits: Natalie Christman

How do I invite someone to Bluesky? New users will receive one invitation code for every two weeks they use the Bluesky app. The company monitors your social graph and further provides invitation codes to share with users, who have invited trusted participants. In the long term, Bluesky says the company considers the invitation code system to be part of the open source tools it is building to help server administrators manage and manage their communities.

Who is in Blue Sky? By early July 2023, instagram thread launched, Bluesky surpasses 1 million downloads across iOS and Android. App was officially released in September 2023 with 1 million users. High-profile figures have moved to Blue Sky, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Neil Gaiman, and Chelsea Manning. It is also home to organizations and journalists such as. X expulsion NPR, Taylor Lorenz and Jake Tapper.

Does Bluesky work like Twitter? In many ways, yes. However, Bluesky still lacks advanced tools such as DM and adding accounts to lists. In addition, Twitter supports ActivityPub and in Bluesky originally began as a project convened in 2019 when Jack Dorsey was CEO of Twitter. However, the social app has been an independent company since its founding in 2021.

Is Blue Sky free? Yes, but access is currently invite-only.

How does Blue Sky make money? Bluesky’s goal is to find other means to sustain the network outside of advertising through paid services, and to remain free for end users. On July 5, Bluesky announced an additional seed round of funding and a paid service that provides custom domains to end users who want to have their own domain as a handle for the service.

Is Bluesky decentralized? Yes. Bluesky’s team is developing a decentralized AT protocol that Bluesky is built on top of. In the beta stage, users can only join his bsky.social network, but Bluesky is planned to be federated. This means that an infinite number of independently operated communities can exist within an open source network. So if a developer other than Bluesky builds their own new social app using his AT protocol, Bluesky users can jump to the new app and port over their existing followers, handles, and data.

Is Blue Sky safe? In October 2023, Blue Sky added email verification. This is part of a larger effort to improve security and authentication of accounts on our network. This addition is an important step forward in making Bluesky more competitive against larger networks like X with more robust security controls.

Is Bluesky customizable? Yes. In May, Bluesky released custom algorithms, or what the company calls “custom feeds.” Custom His Feed allows users to subscribe to multiple different algorithms that showcase different types of posts that users want to see. You can pin custom feeds that appear at the top of your timeline as different tabs to choose from. Pinned or saved feeds can be found in the app’s sidebar under the “My Feeds” menu.

Is Bluesky available on iOS and Android? Yes. Bluesky is available on Android and was released on April 20th and was initially released for iOS users in late February. Users can access Bluesky on her web here. Bluesky also recently released the following third-party apps: gray sky It will launch on iOS and Android.

Are Bluesky’s posts really called “skeet”? Technically, the post doesn’t have a name, but Internet users have adopted the name “Skeets,” a combination of “tweet” and “sky.” Despite protests from Blue Sky CEO Jay Graeber and other who don’t find the slang for semen funny, users still widely refer to the posts as “skeet.”

How does Blue Sky deal with misinformation? After an October update, the app now flags misleading links and warns users. If a link shared in a user’s post doesn’t match its text, the app will show the user a “potentially misleading” warning that the link may be leading the user somewhere they don’t want to go. Warn you that there is. Image credits: Bluesky on Github

Has Blue Sky had any controversy? Bluesky has been plagued by moderation issues since its initial launch. The app has been criticized for failing to protect marginalized users and moderating racist content. Continue controversy frustrated that the app allows racial slurs in account handles, users launch a “posting strike,” and guardrails are established to warn against slurs and other offensive terms in usernames. refused to engage with the platform until further notice.

What was the “thread of hell”? Basically, too many people were replying to one thread, breaking notifications for everyone in the thread, making it impossible to mute posts, and causing the thread to split in a bunch of different subthreads. It was chaotic. you had to be there.

What is the difference between Blue Sky and Mastodon? Bluesky’s architecture is similar to that of Mastodon, but many users find Bluesky more intuitive, while Mastodon may seem less accessible. Mastodon makes choosing which instances to participate feel like an impossible task, and long-time users are very defensive about established posting standards. , it…

Source: techcrunch.com