Are you a Bluesky user? Have you ever wondered about the privacy of your posts on the platform? In this blog post, we dive into a recent privacy issue faced by Bluesky involving the scraping of one million public posts for AI training. Intrigued? Keep reading to learn more about the controversy and its implications for user privacy.
Bluesky faces privacy concerns over scraped user posts
The trouble began when machine learning librarian Daniel van Strien compiled a dataset of one million Bluesky posts for research purposes. The dataset, sourced through Bluesky’s Firehose API, included users’ decentralized identifiers (DIDs) and metadata, raising serious privacy concerns. Despite assurances from Bluesky that it will not train generative AI on user data, the open nature of its API makes it susceptible to external scrapers.
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In the aftermath of the dataset’s removal, van Strien publicly acknowledged the lack of transparency and consent in his data collection methods. This incident serves as a wake-up call for users to be mindful of what they share on public platforms like Bluesky. With the platform’s user base steadily growing, questions surrounding data protection and user privacy will only become more pressing. Bluesky is exploring ways to allow users to express their consent preferences to third parties, but enforcement remains a challenge.
As we navigate the complexities of data privacy in the digital age, it’s crucial for companies like Bluesky to prioritize user control and transparency. Stay informed and stay vigilant – your online privacy is a precious commodity.