Your private messages on Bluesky are not encrypted, meaning Bluesky staff can read them if needed for safety or policy enforcement reasons.
This analysis describes what Bluesky's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
Unlike platforms that offer end-to-end encrypted messaging, Bluesky explicitly confirms that direct messages can be accessed by the company, which means users should not treat DMs as confidential communications.
Users who assume their direct messages are private should understand that Bluesky can access message content for Trust and Safety reviews, which means sensitive personal communications sent via Bluesky DMs are not protected from company access.
How other platforms handle this
California residents have the right to request certain information regarding our disclosure of personal information...to third parties for their direct marketing purposes unless we provide them with an ability to exercise choice regarding such disclosures.
If you choose to reveal any personal information about yourself to other users, you do so at your own risk. We strongly encourage you to use caution in disclosing any personal information online.
When you are asked to provide information, you may decline to do so; but if you choose not to provide information that is necessary to provide some of our Services, you may not be able to use those Services.
"Your Direct Messages. We store and process your direct messages so you can communicate directly with other users on the Bluesky App. These are unencrypted and can be accessed for Trust & Safety purposes.Excerpt from Bluesky's Privacy Policy
(1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision implicates GDPR Article 5 principles of confidentiality and integrity of personal data for EU/EEA users, as well as the UK GDPR equivalent.
Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.
Ad personalization controls removed. Contact scanning added. Advertiser data partnerships quietly dropped. A timeline of every change.
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Unlike platforms that offer end-to-end encrypted messaging, Bluesky explicitly confirms that direct messages can be accessed by the company, which means users should not treat DMs as confidential communications.
Users who assume their direct messages are private should understand that Bluesky can access message content for Trust and Safety reviews, which means sensitive personal communications sent via Bluesky DMs are not protected from company access.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 290 platforms. See the full comparison.
No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Bluesky.