Social networking startup Bluesky has blocked access to its service in Mississippi rather than comply with the state’s new age verification law.
In a blog post Friday, the company said it lacks the resources to meet the law’s sweeping requirements, which mandate age checks for all users, not just those accessing restricted content. Bluesky argued the rules raise major privacy concerns and could force it to collect and store sensitive data, including parental consent for minors.
The law, HB 1126, went into effect after the U.S. Supreme Court declined an emergency appeal to delay enforcement. Violations could cost up to $10,000 per user.
Bluesky stressed the law would “entrench big tech” while creating barriers for smaller platforms. Some users outside Mississippi also reported accidental service blocks due to traffic routing through state servers, though the company said it is working on a fix.
Related: Bluesky Overhauls Community Guidelines and Policies, Invites User Feedback Ahead of October Rollout
The decision applies only to the official Bluesky app built on the AT Protocol, with other apps free to chart their own compliance path.
