Decentralized Project Bluesky Now Available As Invite-Only Beta on App Store

Bluesky, a decentralized project backed by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, is available on the App Store but as an invite-only beta.

It was working on the Authenticated Transfer (AT) Protocol, a new foundation for social networking which gives creators independence from platforms, developers the freedom to build, and users a choice in their experience. This protocol is described as a federated social network where separate networks exist within a single hub.

The AT Protocol, as per Bluesky, is built on four main ideals – account portability; algorithmic; performance; and interoperability. It will allow users to easily transfer their account data to another Bluesky provider as well as give them more control over what they see on a network, among other things.

Bluesky’s presence on the App Store suggests that the developers are willing to expand the test. Initially, the project’s origins within Twitter raised concerns about what would become of Bluesky following Elon Musk’s takeover. But it emerged as a separate company, highlighting that independence is important to the success of the project. As such, Bluesky is now a public benefit company.

Dorsey described Bluesky as an open decentralized standard for social media. He said it would reduce the ability for large, centralized platforms like Twitter to have so much power in terms of deciding which users and communities could engage in speech and who would be responsible for moderating that content. In 2022, Bluesky received $13 million to ensure that it had the freedom and independence to get started on R&D. It said Twitter’s funding of Bluesky was not subject to any conditions except that Bluesky was to research and develop technologies  that enable open and decentralized public conversation.

Data.ai, app intelligence firm, stated that Bluesky iOS app debuted on February 17, 2023 and has somewhere north of 2,000 installs. This only represents the newly added beta testers. Bluesky isn’t ranked on any Top Charts in the United States. It is also not available on Google Play. The app has a simplified user interface. Users can share, mute and block accounts.