Bluesky CEO Jay Graber caused a stir at SXSW when he showed up wearing a t-shirt with the Latin phrase “mundus sine caesaribus,” meaning “a world without Caesars.” This subtle dig at Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg and his own shirt reading “aut Zuck aut nihil” showcased Graber’s stance against tech billionaires.

Bluesky, a rising social media platform with over 32 million users, offers a refreshing user experience compared to platforms owned by billionaires like Elon Musk’s X. While the layout may resemble X, Bluesky sets itself apart with customizable features that allow users to personalize their feeds and conversations, promoting a more positive online experience.

Graber emphasized Bluesky’s decentralized, open-source network as a standout feature that distinguishes it from traditional social media platforms. Users have the freedom to branch out at any time, taking their followers with them or even creating new networks. This flexibility ensures that user choice remains paramount, protecting against potential interference from billionaires or sudden changes in direction.

Moreover, Bluesky’s dedication to collaboration extends to partnerships with apps like Flashes, a photo-sharing platform similar to Instagram. Users can easily share content across both platforms, creating a cohesive ecosystem without the limitations of a single corporate entity like Meta.

As Bluesky gains popularity, concerns about profitability and data security arise. The company is exploring subscription models and developer services as potential revenue sources. Additionally, Bluesky is actively developing data protection measures to prevent unauthorized scraping of user content by A.I. models, aiming to establish a clear framework for data usage.

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