The European Union has accused Bluesky, a Twitter alternative, of violating the EU Digital Services Act (DSA) rules around information disclosure. According to Reuters, the EU regulator has stated that Bluesky fails to provide a dedicated page on its website disclosing the number of users it has in the EU and its legal establishment in the region.

The EU's Digital Services Act, which came into effect on November 25, aims to hold online platforms legally responsible for content posted on their sites. As part of this regulation, platforms are required to provide transparency on their user base and legal establishment in the EU. However, since Bluesky is not yet considered a "very large online platform" under the DSA, with fewer than 45 million users, the regulator cannot regulate it in the same way as larger platforms like X or Threads.

European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated during a Monday press briefing that all platforms in the EU must have a dedicated page on their website providing the required information. "This is not the case for Bluesky as of today. This is not followed," Regnier said. The commission has asked the EU's 27 national governments to look for any trace of Bluesky, such as EU-based offices, but has not yet reached out to Bluesky directly.

Bluesky, which has seen significant growth in recent weeks, driven in part by the US Presidential election, currently has around 22.5 million users, according to a stat-tracking site created by one of the platform's developers. While it is still far from reaching the 45 million user threshold, its continued growth could put it at odds with EU regulators in the near future.

The EU's Digital Services Act is a significant development in the regulation of online platforms, and Bluesky's violation of its rules, albeit due to its smaller size, highlights the importance of compliance for platforms operating in the EU. As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Bluesky and other platforms adapt to the new rules and requirements.

In the meantime, Bluesky's growth and popularity will be closely watched, not only by users but also by regulators, who will be keen to ensure that the platform complies with EU regulations as it continues to expand its user base.

The incident also raises questions about the effectiveness of the EU's Digital Services Act in regulating online platforms. While the regulation is designed to promote transparency and accountability, its limitations, such as the 45 million user threshold, may create loopholes that platforms can exploit. As the EU continues to refine its regulatory approach, it will be important to address these limitations and ensure that all platforms, regardless of size, are held to the same standards.