Link: Bluesky blocks access to its service in Mississippi, saying it doesn't have the resources to comply with the state's broad new law requiring age verification (Sarah Perez/TechCrunch)

Bluesky has opted to block its social network in Mississippi rather than comply with a new law requiring age verification for all users. The startup finds the technical and financial demands of the law too burdensome.

The company highlighted in a blog post that implementing such measures would require significant resources which they lack as a small team.

Mississippi’s HB 1126 mandates age checks and parental consent for minors, with severe penalties for noncompliance, posing hefty fines up to $10,000 per violation.

Bluesky argues that the law not only aims to protect children but also imposes excessive barriers that restrict free speech and hurt smaller companies disproportionately.

Unlike larger tech companies, Bluesky stresses its focus on building decentralized social technology and views the strict verification requirements as a threat to privacy and innovation.

The policy impact is limited to the Bluesky app developed on the AT Protocol, potentially influencing how other applications respond to similar legislative challenges. #

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