JD Vance, one of the Vice Chairmen, signed up for the social media alternative Bluesky on Wednesday night. Because automated systems immediately flagged his account, it resulted in an immediate suspension. The incident reflects broader issues with content moderation on social media platforms, especially in cases of impersonation attempts against public figures.
Then, immediately upon joining, Vance’s account would be the first account that would be caught by Bluesky’s automated detection systems should go flagging impersonation attempts. These systems have recently gone after other well-known figures, prompting questions about the systems’ authenticity and trust on social media platforms. These automated systems flagged a potential threat with Vance’s account and it was suspended for a few hours.
The suspension did not last long. In a follow-up email, a spokesperson from Bluesky verified that Vance’s account was restored and verified within minutes of the incident. This ongoing process helps users authenticate the accounts of individuals in the public eye.
“Vice President Vance’s account was briefly flagged by our automated systems that try to detect impersonation attempts, which have targeted public figures like him in the past. The account was quickly restored and verified so people can easily confirm its authenticity,” – Bluesky spokesperson.
Despite the rocky start, Vance took to Bluesky to share his thoughts on the recent Supreme Court decision that upheld a Tennessee law. This law forbids any gender-affirming care for transgender minors, the controversial practice that has led to much public outcry and debate around the nation.
Vance’s inaugural post was about a significant and innovative legal move. It demonstrated that he plans to dive directly into the fray and that he’s going to engage personally, especially on social media.
“We welcome the Vice President to join the conversation on Bluesky,” – Bluesky spokesperson.
This incident demonstrates the dangers of automated moderation systems. It shows how desperate public figures are to engage with their constituents on these new digital battlegrounds. Yet as social media regulations continue to change, users and platforms alike will have to tread lightly on these issues.