Bluesky, a social network that started two years ago to compete with X and Threads, is making significant changes to its Community Guidelines and other rules. The changes clarify how to keep users safe, improve the appeals process, and ensure the site follows new global laws like the UK Online Safety Act, the EU Digital Services Act, and the US TAKE IT DOWN Act.
Most of the new rules will promote community respect and positivity. This addresses past complaints that users were too serious, unfunny, and closed to new ideas. For users in adult-content countries like the UK, Bluesky now requires age verification via facial scans, ID uploads, or payment card checks. The goal is to enforce rules.
Bluesky is also starting an “informal dispute resolution process,” which lets users talk to the company about their problems directly over the phone before any formal action is taken. This approach differs from larger platforms, where users are banned without explanation or discussion. Bluesky will also settle some harm claims in court instead of arbitration, a major industry change.
The community rules, which go into effect on October 15, 2025, are based on four main ideas: safety first, respect others, be yourself, and follow the rules. Moderators use these rules to decide when to label or remove content, suspend or ban accounts, and tell the police about serious violations. The new rules say that you can’t promote violence, harm, illegal activities, sexualizing minors, doxxing, spam, or other bad content.
The rules are meant to cut down on hate, harassment, and bullying, and they deal with tough topics like threats, harm, and abuse. It’s against the rules to post content that encourages hate or discrimination based on things like race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.
Bluesky has had trouble moderating content about the Black and trans communities in the past. This change aims to address those problems while also dealing with criticism of perceived political bias and negative behavior in the community.
Moderation tools give users the power to shape their experience by letting them block, report, and subscribe to block lists that match their values. A lot of people still want Bluesky to make moderation decisions, even though they sometimes disagree with the trust and safety team.
Lastly, Bluesky’s Privacy Policy and Copyright Policy have been completely rewritten to follow international laws about user rights, data handling, takedown procedures, and openness. There is no time for the public to give feedback on these policies before they go into effect on September 15, 2025.
This big change shows that Bluesky is committed to finding a balance between following the rules, keeping the community healthy, and giving users more power as it grows in the competitive world of social media.
