Jack Dorsey Steps Down from Bluesky
Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of Twitter and a prominent figure in the tech industry, has stepped down from the board of Bluesky, the decentralized social networking service he helped fund. The departure of Dorsey, who envisioned Bluesky as a platform free from central control, raises questions about the future direction of the project.
Bluesky, which was launched to pursue Dorsey’s vision of a decentralized social media standard, opened to all users in February after years of development. However, Dorsey’s exit from the board comes amidst speculation about his level of involvement in the project.
The announcement of Dorsey’s departure from Bluesky was made on the platform itself, with Bluesky confirming that it is searching for a new board member to replace him. Despite the absence of a detailed explanation for Dorsey’s decision, his departure signifies a significant development for Bluesky and the broader decentralized social media landscape.
Dorsey’s involvement in Bluesky dates back to its inception in 2019, when he announced the project as an initiative to develop an open-source social media standard. However, his departure from Twitter’s board in 2022 raised questions about his continued involvement in Bluesky, especially as the platform transitioned into an independent public benefit corporation.
The news of Dorsey’s exit from Bluesky comes at a time when the platform is facing increasing competition from other decentralized social media alternatives. Meta Platforms Inc.’s Threads, in particular, has emerged as a viable alternative to Bluesky, overshadowing its early momentum.
Dorsey’s departure from Bluesky also coincides with his increased activity on Elon Musk’s platform, X, which he has referred to as “freedom technology.” This apparent shift in focus raises questions about Dorsey’s priorities and the future of Bluesky under new leadership.
Despite Dorsey’s departure, Bluesky remains committed to its mission of building a social network that puts people in control of their experience. With CEO Jay Graeber and Jabber / XMPP inventor Jeremie Miller still on the board, Bluesky continues to pursue its goal of creating a decentralized social media platform.
