Bluesky, Twitter's decentralized alternative, launches as an exclusive iOS app through invitations

It's possible that the social network supported by Jack Dorsey is nearing its launch.

TechCrunch reports that Bluesky, a decentralized project that originated within Twitter, has now become available on the Apple App Store as an invite-only social network. The app bears a striking resemblance to Twitter with its timeline and profile pages. The project is backed by Jack Dorsey, the co-founder and former CEO of Twitter, and is powered by its open-source social protocol called the Authenticated Transfer Protocol (AT Protocol).

Bluesky describes itself as a “federated social network” where separate networks exist within a single hub. The AT Protocol framework is built on four main ideals: account portability, algorithmic performance, and interoperability. This framework allows for easy transfer of account data to another Bluesky provider and provides more control over the network's content. Although the app was initially available only in a private beta for developers in October, Bluesky is now expanding its test by offering access to a waitlist on the App Store. Bluesky was spun off as a separate company last year to ensure its independence from Twitter for funding, and Dorsey joined its board.

Bluesky looks promising with separate tabs for home, search, and notifications, along with a Twitter-like repost ability. It is not known when or if Bluesky will become available on Android. With Twitter alternatives like Bluesky, Mastodon, and Hive gaining traction, it almost feels like the golden age of social networks again.