We moved our Bluesky data to Eurosky
Transitioning our Bluesky Presence to Eurosky
Waag Futurelab is committed to the pursuit of digital autonomy. In an era where a handful of tech giants wield disproportionate influence, taking concrete steps to reclaim our digital footprint is essential.
We have officially shifted our presence within the AT Protocol (the foundation of Bluesky) away from the default infrastructure. Our data is now hosted on a Personal Data Server (PDS) provided by Eurosky.
Understanding the PDS Architecture
A Personal Data Server (PDS) serves as the storage hub for your identity within the AT Protocol. To understand why this matters, we must look at the shift in data ownership:
Platform Dependency Digital Sovereignty
| Feature | Traditional Social Media | PDS / Federated Model |
|---|---|---|
| Account Control | User manages profile | User manages profile |
| Data Ownership | Platform owns/controls data | User chooses where data lives |
| Portability | Locked into one ecosystem | Migrate without losing identity |
| Structure | Centralized Silo | Interconnected Network (like Email) |
How it Works
In a PDS model, your interactions, followers, and posts are not trapped in a corporate database. Instead, they reside on a server you either manage yourself or entrust to a provider of your choice.
Why Eurosky?
We chose Eurosky because they are a European hosting provider dedicated to privacy, transparency, and digital sovereignty. By moving our data, we ensure:
- Legal Alignment: Data is handled under European legislation rather than US law.
- Ethical Standards: A focus on public infrastructure over commercial exploitation.
- Privacy: Stricter protections against the monetization of personal information.
The Paradox of Bluesky
Since the acquisition of Twitter by Elon Musk, there has been a void where a safe, intellectual "digital village square" once existed.
"We have seen a decline in the presence of scientists, journalists, and experts in public digital spaces. Bluesky has become a refuge for these voices."
Waag believes it is vital to engage with this community. However, we remain critical of the platform. While the AT Protocol is open source, Bluesky (the company) still holds the reins.
The Centralization Problem
We believe Bluesky does not yet fulfill the promise of true decentralization due to several factors:
- Development Control: Bluesky remains the primary developer, deciding which features are prioritized.
- Algorithmic Power: They manage the standard feeds and the mechanisms for discoverability.
- Moderation: While alternative services exist, the primary platform still dictates visibility.
The Financial Conflict
The funding model of Bluesky is fundamentally at odds with decentralization. Because it relies on venture capital, it operates under a shareholder model.
This creates a power dynamic where a small group of shareholders can steer the network's evolution, potentially prioritizing profit over user autonomy.
Taking Action
To move toward a more decentralized future, we utilized Eurosky’s EU-Haul service to migrate our data seamlessly.
Our Checklist for Digital Autonomy:
- Identify data silos.
- Select a trusted PDS provider.
- Migrate data via
EU-Haul. - Encourage the wider community to migrate.
If the majority of users continue to host their data with Bluesky, the power remains centralized. We urge others to move their data to independent servers.
Beyond Bluesky: The Fediverse
Despite our presence on Bluesky, the Fediverse (including Mastodon and PeerTube) remains our primary social ecosystem. We continue to operate our own Mastodon instance: waag.social.
{
"primary_network": "Fediverse",
"instance": "waag.social",
"status": "Active",
"philosophy": "Fully Decentralized"
}
Connect with us:
- Follow us on Bluesky
- Follow us on Mastodon
- Join our community at
waag.social