Bluesky CEO Jay Graber Is Building a Billionaire-Proof Platform

Bluesky CEO Jay Graber made a bold statement at SXSW by sporting a t-shirt emblazoned with the Latin phrase “mundus sine caesaribus,” meaning “a world without Caesars.” This subtle jab at Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, who previously wore a similar shirt reading “aut Zuck aut nihil,” reflects Graber’s distaste for tech billionaires.

Bluesky, a social media platform gaining traction with over 32 million users, offers a unique user experience compared to billionaire-owned platforms like Elon Musk’s X. While the interface may resemble X, Bluesky stands out with customizable features that allow users to tailor their feeds and conversations, promoting an “anti-toxic experience.”

Graber highlighted Bluesky’s decentralized, open-source network as a key feature that sets it apart from traditional social media platforms. Users have the freedom to “fork off” at any time, taking their followers with them or even creating new networks. This flexibility ensures that user choice remains paramount, safeguarding against potential interference from billionaires or sudden changes in direction.

Furthermore, Bluesky’s commitment to collaboration extends to partnering with apps like Flashes, a photo-sharing platform similar to Instagram. Users can seamlessly share content across both platforms, creating a unified ecosystem without the constraints of a single corporate entity like Meta.

As Bluesky continues to grow in popularity, questions about profitability and data security arise. The company is exploring subscription models and developer services as potential revenue streams. Additionally, Bluesky is actively working on data protection measures to prevent unauthorized scraping of user content by A.I. models, aiming to establish a transparent framework for data use.

In a landscape dominated by tech giants, Bluesky’s emphasis on user empowerment and data privacy sets it apart as a platform that prioritizes user choice and experience above all else. Graber’s vision for a “billionaire-proof” social media site reflects a broader shift towards platforms that prioritize user agency and community engagement. Rewrite the sentence.