Bluesky, the decentralized social networking startup, has suspended access to its service in Mississippi, opting out of compliance with the state’s newly enacted age verification law. The decision highlights the growing tension between online platforms, privacy advocates, and lawmakers pushing for stricter digital safeguards.
In a blog post released Friday, Bluesky said its small team does not have the resources to implement the sweeping technical changes required under Mississippi’s HB 1126. The law mandates that all users of social networks verify their age before gaining access, regardless of whether they intend to view restricted content.
Broad Law Sparks Concerns
Unlike age assurance rules in countries like the U.K., which apply only to specific content, Mississippi’s law demands verification for every user. This means that Bluesky would need to collect and store sensitive data from its entire user base and seek parental consent for anyone under 18.
Failure to comply could cost the platform heavily. The legislation outlines penalties of up to $10,000 per user, an amount that could devastate smaller companies. Bluesky warned that such compliance would impose “significant barriers that limit free speech and disproportionately harm smaller platforms and emerging technologies.”
Small Team, Big Burden
The company stressed that it is not positioned to absorb the costs of building and maintaining robust verification systems. “Unlike tech giants with vast resources, we’re a small team focused on decentralized social technology that puts users in control,” Bluesky stated.
The post emphasized that developing age assurance tools would require new infrastructure, privacy protection mechanisms, and ongoing compliance monitoring. For Bluesky, this would mean diverting limited developer time and resources away from its core mission, effectively forcing smaller platforms to bear the same burdens as industry giants.
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User Impact and Technical Hiccups
Some Bluesky users outside Mississippi also reported issues accessing the platform due to their internet traffic being routed through servers in the state. Responding on Saturday, CTO Paul Frazee said the team was working on updates to improve location detection and prevent unintended disruptions.
The company clarified that the restriction applies specifically to the official Bluesky app built on the AT Protocol. Other third-party apps powered by the protocol may adopt different approaches to handling the law.
Free Speech and Innovation at Risk
Bluesky argued that Mississippi’s law, while framed as a measure to protect children online, overreaches in ways that threaten free expression and competition. By compelling platforms to gather sensitive data from all users, critics say the law erodes privacy and strengthens the dominance of large tech firms that can afford compliance.
As legal challenges continue, Bluesky’s move may set a precedent for how smaller platforms respond to similar state-level regulations. The decision underscores a larger debate in the U.S.: how to balance online safety with privacy, innovation, and fair competition.
