Bluesky to adhere to age verification regulations in South Dakota and Wyoming following departure from Mississippi

After ceasing operations in Mississippi due to a new age-verification law, the social media platform Bluesky is now adopting a different strategy to meet regulations in South Dakota and Wyoming. Unlike its previous requirement to limit access for all users without verification, the platform is enabling users in these states to confirm their ages via the Kids Web Services (KWS).

This service offers several options for age verification, including the use of payment cards, identification documents, an anonymous facial scan to estimate age, and potentially other methods. Bluesky is utilizing this same service to align with the U.K.’s Online Safety Act, which includes similar stipulations.

In a recent blog entry, the company stated, “We believe this approach currently strikes the right balance. Bluesky will remain accessible to users in these states, and we will not need to restrict the app for everyone.”

While Bluesky recognizes the intent behind government efforts to protect children online, it has encountered challenges with poorly designed and excessively broad regulations, such as the one in Mississippi. This particular law would have compelled Bluesky to verify every user, not just those trying to access age-restricted material, and required parental consent for users under the age of 18. It also imposed hefty penalties, reaching as much as $10,000 for each user.

The startup previously noted that its limited resources made it impossible to implement the significant technical changes necessary for compliance with Mississippi’s law, prompting its decision to withdraw from the state entirely, leaving room for larger competitors like Meta to retain their market presence.

In contrast, Bluesky views the regulations in South Dakota and Wyoming as more manageable.

Globally, mandates for age verification are becoming more prevalent, and in the absence of federal legislation, numerous U.S. states have taken it upon themselves to create their own age-verification laws. Unfortunately, when these regulations impact social media platforms, they can hinder smaller companies like Bluesky from competing effectively. Additionally, privacy advocates raise concerns that such laws increase the risk of identity theft and are generally invasive.