Social media platform Bluesky has blocked access from Mississippi IP addresses following the state’s new age-verification law. The company cited prohibitive costs and concerns over privacy and free expression as reasons for its decision.
The law, which was passed by Republican and Democratic lawmakers in 2024, aims to regulate children’s use of social media. However, Bluesky argues that it goes too far and would require the platform to hand over sensitive personal information and undergo age checks, limiting free speech and disproportionately harming smaller platforms.
Bluesky is a decentralized social technology that puts users in control, but the law creates challenges that can overwhelm smaller providers. The company believes effective child-safety policies should be carefully tailored to address real harms without stifling innovation and competition.
As a result, Bluesky will continue to block access to Mississippi IPs until legal challenges to this law are resolved. This decision may impact the Mississippi Free Press’s ability to stay connected with its readers on Bluesky.
The Mississippi Legislature passed the Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act in response to the death of 16-year-old Walker Montgomery, whose father said he died by suicide after a sextortioner threatened to share explicit content. However, a federal court had blocked the law from taking effect amid a lawsuit from tech industry group NetChoice.
The U.S. Supreme Court allowed the law to go into effect earlier this month while the lawsuit proceeds. Bluesky’s decision to block access to Mississippi IPs is a significant blow to smaller social media platforms and their ability to stay connected with readers.
Source: https://www.mississippifreepress.org/editors-note-bluesky-blocks-mississippi-ips-citing-states-age-verification-law-free-speech-and-privacy-concerns