Bluesky and the AT Protocol: Building a Decentralized Social Internet
Table of Contents Introduction What is the AT Protocol? Understanding Bluesky Core Architecture and Design How Federation Works Personal Data Servers and User Control Lexicon: The Universal Language Account Portability and User Ownership Comparing AT Protocol to Other Decentralized Protocols The Atmosphere Ecosystem Standardization and Future Development Practical Implications for Users and Developers Challenges and Considerations Conclusion Resources Introduction The landscape of social media has long been dominated by centralized platforms—companies that control the servers, algorithms, and user data that power our digital conversations. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have created walled gardens where users are subject to the whims of corporate policies, algorithmic decisions, and terms of service that can change at any moment. In recent years, a growing movement has emerged to reimagine social networking as a decentralized, open ecosystem where users retain control over their data and identity. ...