Jack Dorsey unveils AT Protocol : a decentralized answer to Twitter

The new "Social protocol" and a Bluesky Social app

As part of its decentralized response to Twitter, Bluesky Social's co-founder and former CEO Jack Dorsey has revealed the most recent version of its social protocol and a new Bluesky Social app.

The programme was first launched by Dorsey in December 2019 with a goal for social media users to have control over their data and be able to move it from platform to platform without authorization. The announcement on October 18 comes almost three years later.

“Account portability”, “Algorithmic choice”, “Interoperability” and much more..

The new protocol, which has been given the term Authenticated Transfer Protocol (or AT Protocol) in place of ADX, is referred to as a "protocol for large-scale distributed social applications" and will support account portability, algorithmic choice, interoperability, and performance.

According to the protocol, domain names in the AT protocol, like "@alice.com," will be used to handle user identity. These would then translate to URLs that use cryptography to secure the user's account and associated data.Additionally, this information can be moved between providers "without losing any of your data or social graph."

The protocol also offers "algorithmic choice," which gives users access to "an open market of algorithms," much as how consumers dealing with Web search engines are allowed to choose their indexers. Other characteristics include interoperation and improved performance.

More control and Zero manipulation- Bluesky Social

When it comes to content filtering, Bluesky has previously said that it uses "many layers throughout the system, including aggregation algorithms, reputation-based thresholds, and end-user choice."

"A marketplace of companies choose what to carry to their audiences; there is no one company that can select what gets published."

According to Bluesky, consumers will now have more choice over the content they view and the people they connect with on social media platforms when using the protocol as opposed to having that part controlled and managed by a single organization looking for engagement.

“No algorithm” choice for users - Dorsey

Aside from the fact that it will "launch soon" and that users may presently sign up for a secret waitlist to test the beta version of the new social app before it becomes available to the general public, not much is known about Bluesky Social

A user's question was answered on Twitter by Dorsey, who also said that they may select "no algorithms."As the Bluesky application advances, "We're looking forward to sharing more about it," the statement read.

Before moving to mailing list providers to enable signups to restart, Bluesky said it encountered a "temporary limit on mailing signups" from individuals joining up for the beta.

"Decentralized social platform" could be one answer

The centralized management of social media feeds, accounts, and data, which has drawn criticism for being detrimental to social cohesion, may have an answer in the decentralized social platform.