Terms of Service - Bluesky CompanyBlogAT ProtocolApp Company Blog AT Protocol App SupportTerms of Service Terms of Service Last Updated: 14 August, 2025 Welcome to Bluesky, a social networking application provided by Bluesky Social, PBC ("we", "us", "our”). We are excited to have you as a user. Bluesky runs on the Authenticated Transfer Protocol ("AT Protocol"), a decentralized social networking protocol that supports many different kinds of services. Together with the Bluesky Community Guidelines, Privacy Policy, and Copyright Policy, these Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the Bluesky application, website, and services (collectively, "Bluesky"). By accessing or using Bluesky, you agree to be bound by these Terms. Please read them carefully. These Terms only apply to social networking that happens on Bluesky. If you’re using another social networking application on the AT Protocol that isn’t Bluesky Social (a “Developer Application”), the terms and conditions of that Developer Application will govern your experience. We are not responsible for the content or practices of Developer Applications. Important Note: These Terms contain an agreement to resolve most disputes between us through arbitration (instead of suing in court) and to waive jury trials and class actions in most cases. Please read Section 13 carefully. Table of Contents Eligibility and Age Verification Account Registration and Responsibilities User Content Proactive Moderation and Illegal Content Discover Feed and Recommender Systems Complaints and Appeals Termination Third-Party Services Open Source Software Warranty Disclaimer Indemnification Limitation of Liability Governing Law, Jurisdiction, Venue, Dispute Resolution, and Arbitration Updates to Terms Intellectual Property General Terms Contact Us Apple App Store and Google Play Required Terms 1. Eligibility and Age Verification To use Bluesky, you must be at least 13 years old and meet the minimum age required by your local laws to enter into a binding agreement. In some locations, we may be required to restrict access to certain features or content unless you complete an age assurance process and demonstrate that you are an adult. When age assurance is required, we use methods that comply with the laws that apply in that jurisdiction. 2. Account Registration and Responsibilities Summary: To use Bluesky, you need your own account. Don’t share accounts. You’re responsible for what happens on your account, even if you didn’t do it. Keep your login info safe. If someone breaks into your account, tell us right away at [email protected]. To be a Bluesky user, you must create an account (“Account”). You are responsible for any use of Bluesky made through your valid login credentials, including any communications or actions taken through your Account, whether or not you authorized it. Each time your credentials are used, we will presume you authorized the activity, and we are not required to verify the source of access. Do not share your Account with others or use anyone else’s account. By uploading or posting content on Bluesky, you warrant that you possess or have secured all rights, licenses, consents, and releases that are necessary for your use of that content and for Bluesky’s use as set forth in these Terms. If you’re using Bluesky Social on behalf of a company or organization, you confirm that you have the authority to represent your company or organization. If you are a government entity or official using Bluesky in an official capacity, please refer to our Terms of Service Amendment for Government Users. If any provision of these Terms—whether on their own or as modified by the government amendment—is inconsistent with applicable laws that govern your use, please contact us at [email protected] to discuss alternative arrangements. You alone are responsible for protecting the security and confidentiality of your Account. In no event shall we be liable for any loss, theft or fraudulent use of your Account. If you believe your Bluesky Account has been compromised, report it to us at [email protected]. 3. User Content Summary: What you post is yours, but you must follow the rules. Bluesky can use your posts to run and improve the app, show them to others, and keep things safe. You can report misuse. User Content. “Content” means anything you share on Bluesky Social, including posts, profile details, photos, videos, feedback, suggestions, links, and direct messages. Your Responsibility. You are solely responsible for your Content. You agree that your Content will comply with all applicable laws and with the Bluesky Community Guidelines. Bluesky is not obligated to actively monitor or control your Content. Use by Others. Bluesky does not control how others may use your Content. If you believe someone is using your Content in a way that violates these Terms or the Community Guidelines, please follow the Complaints and Appeals process outlined below. Bluesky’s Use of Your Content. We use your Content only to (i) operate, provide, and improve Bluesky and its features, including by sharing it across Bluesky and the AT Protocol; and (ii) promote and market Bluesky and its services. Bluesky’s License to Your Content. You retain ownership of your Content on the Bluesky application and website. Bluesky does not claim rights to your Content, except for the limited rights you grant us under this license. By sharing Content on Bluesky, you grant us a limited, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to: Operate and Improve Services: Use your Content to develop, operate, and enhance Bluesky, the AT Protocol, and future products and services. For example, we may store and display your posts to other Bluesky and AT Protocol Developer Application users. Adapt and Display Content: Reproduce, modify, adapt, distribute, and publicly display your Content in any format or media. For example, we may resize content for different devices or feature user posts in promotional materials. Enable Third-Party Tools: Allow trusted partners—such as content moderation providers—to use your Content as necessary to support Bluesky Social. Enforce Our Policies: Remove, block, or modify your Content if we believe it violates these Terms, our Community Guidelines, or other applicable policies. This license enables us to support core platform functionality and to ensure Bluesky remains safe, responsive, and engaging for everyone. We will never sell your Content without getting your permission first. Content Deletion. If you delete your account, we will use reasonable efforts to remove your Content from Bluesky, in accordance with applicable laws and with our Privacy Policy. We also will notify other services and Developer Applications on the AT Protocol that you have deleted your account. Due to the decentralized nature of the AT Protocol, we cannot control or force other services and Developer Applications on the AT Protocol to treat your Content in a particular way and some posts may continue to exist on these services that are outside our control. That means that complete deletion across the network may not always be possible. Bluesky is not responsible for Content you’ve shared on other services that use the AT Protocol. To request removal from those services, contact them directly. 4. Proactive Moderation and Illegal Content We proactively use automated tools and human moderation to detect and act on prohibited content. Bluesky prioritizes the swift removal of terrorism content, child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) content, and other priority illegal content. This proactive technology includes tools that help us recognize hashes of known illegal content and that can detect violations of our terms based on the text in and content of a post. We also rely on user reports, trusted flaggers, law enforcement reports, and reports we receive from NGOs and civil society. When notified, we act swiftly to minimize exposure. 5. Discover Feed and Recommender Systems Bluesky uses a recommender algorithm to populate the Discover Feed and personalize recommendations such as suggested accounts. You can opt out of the Discover Feed via your settings. In addition to the Discover Feed, you can install third-party feeds hosted by other services. Bluesky does not control the recommender systems used by third-party feeds. 6. Complaints and Appeals Summary: You can report posts or users that break the rules. If your account is suspended or restricted, you can ask us to review the decision by emailing us within two weeks. If you live in the EU, you also have the right to challenge our decisions through special review groups or the courts in your country. Complaints. You can report posts or users for violations of our rules using the in-app reporting tools or feedback form. If you are not a Bluesky user but are legally entitled to submit a report or takedown request, please follow the instructions here. We will promptly notify users when we take enforcement action in response to a report. Appeals. If your account has been suspended, terminated, or otherwise restricted under these Terms, you may appeal the decision using the in-app appeal tool or by emailing [email protected]. Appeals must be well-founded and include sufficient information or documentation for us to conduct a meaningful review. Appeals must be filed within two weeks of the account suspension, termination, or restriction you seek to appeal. Appeals that lack supporting detail or that are not filed within two weeks may not be eligible for reconsideration. We will notify you when we've reviewed your appeal and taken action. EU / EEA Appeals Procedures. If you're in the EU or EEA, you have the right to challenge Bluesky's content-moderation or account decisions through various channels: Internal appeal Internal appeal, as described above, by emailing [email protected]. Out‑of‑court dispute with a certified DSA body. You may choose any EU-certified dispute settlement body with appropriate expertise. Bluesky will engage in good‑faith resolution under Article 21, but these bodies' decisions are non‑binding. Judicial remedy in the courts of your country of residence or establishment. Information about certified bodies—such as their areas of expertise, languages, and procedures—can be found via your national Digital Services Coordinator and the EU Commission's public list. Please note: Bluesky may decline participation if an identical dispute has already been resolved. These procedures supplement but do not replace your right to pursue Court actions or other regulatory complaints. 7. Termination Summary: You can delete your Bluesky account anytime in your settings. We might suspend or disable your account if you break the rules or if we're required to by law. Some rules still apply even after your account is deleted. This agreement remains in effect until terminated by either you or Bluesky. Your Right to Terminate. You may terminate your Account at any time by using the account deletion option in your settings. If your Account is deleted or terminated, we will retain your Personal Data in accordance with our Privacy Policy and only as necessary for trust and safety, legal compliance, or other legitimate purposes. Certain provisions of these Terms will continue to apply after termination. Our Right to Terminate. We may suspend, restrict, or terminate your Account—or specific features of Bluesky—at any time, without prior notice, if: You violate these Terms, the Privacy Policy, Community Guidelines, or Copyright Policy; We are legally required to do so, such as by court order or regulatory demand; or We believe that your continued access poses a risk to Bluesky, to other users, or to third parties, including in cases involving safety, legal exposure, reputational risk, or platform integrity. 8. Third-Party Services Summary: Bluesky might link to other a…