Amid growing dissatisfaction with X (formerly Twitter), particularly in Pakistan, users are flocking to a new alternative: Bluesky. The platform, which has experienced rapid growth globally, is gaining popularity in Pakistan as X becomes increasingly inaccessible due to government restrictions and the growing necessity of using VPNs to access it. Bluesky’s user base has surged from 13 million in late October to 15 million by mid-November 2024, with over a million new sign-ups each day. This spike in popularity is largely driven by frustration with X’s policies and management under Elon Musk, along with Bluesky’s appeal as a decentralized, user-friendly alternative.
Bluesky’s rise in Pakistan can be attributed to the increasing accessibility issues faced by users of X, including the need for a VPN to access the platform. As more Pakistani users turn to Bluesky, they are drawn to its cleaner, more user-centric experience. Unlike X, which has faced backlash for recent controversial changes, Bluesky offers a platform with enhanced moderation tools that allow users to curate their feeds and avoid unwanted interactions. The decentralized architecture of Bluesky also ensures better privacy and security, which has become increasingly important to users disillusioned by the growing regulation and toxicity of X.
Also Read: Pakistan Lifts Twitter Ban, Restoring Access
Bluesky was originally conceived as a project within Twitter by co-founder Jack Dorsey, with the goal of creating an open, decentralized standard for social media. Launched in 2021 as an independent platform, Bluesky has quickly evolved into a strong competitor to X. Its decentralized structure allows users to join or create servers that align with their personal values and preferences, giving them greater control over the content they see. Unlike X, which uses algorithms to push content, Bluesky limits visible posts to those from followed accounts, offering a more personalized experience.
Discontent with X under Musk’s leadership has fueled the shift to Bluesky. Since Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, the platform has undergone significant changes, such as reinstating banned accounts and modifying the block function to allow blocked users to view public posts. These changes have alienated many users, especially as Musk’s association with political figures and concerns about the platform amplifying misinformation and extremist content have raised alarms. Bluesky, in contrast, prioritizes transparency, privacy, and content moderation. It allows users to choose the algorithms that curate their feeds and provides anti-toxicity features to protect users from harassment. With its emphasis on user control and a safer online environment, Bluesky is becoming the go-to platform for those seeking an alternative to the evolving issues on X.
