What's Happening?
Bluesky, a social network competing with platforms like X and Threads, has launched a new 'find friends' feature designed to prioritize user privacy. Announced on Wednesday, the feature allows users to connect
with friends from their phone's address book, but only if both parties have opted in. Unlike traditional methods that have been criticized for privacy breaches, Bluesky's approach involves encrypting contact information in hashed pairs, making it difficult to reverse engineer. The encryption is further secured by a hardware key stored separately from the main database. Users can manually send invites to friends, avoiding automated spam invites. This feature is currently available to users in several countries, including the United States.
Why It's Important?
The introduction of this privacy-focused feature by Bluesky is significant as it addresses longstanding concerns about data privacy in social networking. Traditional contact-matching methods have often led to privacy violations, with phone numbers being leaked or misused. By implementing a more secure system, Bluesky aims to build trust with its users, potentially setting a new standard for privacy in the social media industry. This move could influence other platforms to adopt similar privacy measures, thereby enhancing overall user security. For users, this means greater control over their personal data and a reduced risk of unwanted spam or data breaches.
What's Next?
As Bluesky rolls out this feature, it will be crucial to monitor user feedback and the system's effectiveness in maintaining privacy. The company has already shared technical details with the security community to gather feedback, indicating a commitment to transparency and improvement. If successful, this feature could lead to increased user adoption and retention, as privacy-conscious users seek alternatives to traditional social networks. Other platforms may also feel pressured to enhance their privacy measures to remain competitive.
