In the wake of the recent U.S. elections, Bluesky has become a topic of interest in the social media landscape. On November 15, 2024, the platform made a notable announcement: it will not train generative AI on user-generated content. This declaration comes at a time when competitors like X (formerly Twitter) and Meta’s Threads are implementing new terms that allow for the training of AI on user posts.

Bluesky’s commitment to not utilizing user content for AI training stands in contrast to the policies adopted by its rivals. The timing of this announcement is likely not coincidental, as it coincided with X’s new terms, which went into effect on the same day. This has raised concerns among users, particularly artists and creators, who are wary of how their data is used on other platforms.

In a statement, Bluesky acknowledged the concerns of its community, emphasizing that it does not use any user content for generative AI training and has no plans to do so. The platform stated, “A number of artists and creators have made their home on Bluesky, and we hear their concerns with other platforms training on their data.”

While Bluesky reassured users about AI training, it also clarified that it does employ AI internally for content moderation. This use of AI assists in managing posts and helps protect human moderators from exposure to harmful content. However, Bluesky made it clear that the AI tools used for moderation and the algorithms for its Discover feed do not involve generative AI systems trained on user content.

Despite its proactive stance, there are some concerns regarding the platform’s data accessibility. The Verge pointed out that Bluesky’s robots.txt policy does not prevent major generative AI companies, like OpenAI and Google, from scraping data from the site. In response, spokesperson Emily Liu explained that the platform operates on an open and public nature, and while they would like to ensure that outside organizations respect user consent, enforcing this remains a challenge.

Bluesky’s growth trajectory has been notable, especially following the recent elections. The platform surpassed 15 million users, gaining over a million new accounts within a week. This surge in sign-ups coincided with a marked increase in account deactivations on X, with reports indicating that over 115,000 U.S. users deactivated their accounts on November 7 alone—the highest daily deactivation rate during Elon Musk’s tenure.

Web analytics company SimilarWeb observed that Bluesky experienced a significant uptick in web traffic and daily active users both before and after the election. The juxtaposition of Bluesky’s growth against the backdrop of X’s user base decline suggests that users are exploring alternative platforms that prioritize their privacy and data rights.

As the social media landscape continues to evolve, Bluesky’s decision to refrain from training AI on user posts reflects a growing demand for transparency and user rights. With more users becoming aware of the implications of their data being used for AI training, Bluesky’s approach may resonate with those seeking platforms that prioritize their privacy and autonomy.

In conclusion, Bluesky is positioning itself as a user-friendly alternative in the social media arena, especially for those concerned about privacy and data usage. As the platform continues to grow, it remains to be seen how it will navigate the challenges of maintaining user trust while competing with more established players in the market.