How to access Bluesky in Mississippi

Bluesky is a decentralized social network growing quickly as an alternative to Twitter. Built on the AT Protocol, it’s praised for its focus on free speech and user privacy. Unfortunately, Mississippi’s new age assurance law has forced Bluesky to withdraw its service. That means you’ll need a VPN to access Bluesky in Mississippi.

Under HB 1126 (the Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act), social media platforms must enforce strict age verification law requirements, with heavy fines for non-compliance. Lawmakers argue this protects child safety and enforces parental consent. In practice, the Bluesky Mississippi block raises serious privacy implications and increases the risk of data breaches.

Want to know how to access Bluesky in Mississippi? With a Virtual Private Network (VPN), you can encrypt your traffic and get a non-Mississippi IP address. This allows you to spoof your IP address to appear as if it is from a different US state, thereby bypassing the Mississippi Bluesky block.

Not all VPNs are secure and fast enough to unblock Bluesky in Mississippi. In this guide, we’ve pinpointed the best VPNs for accessing Bluesky. Keep reading to learn how to spoof your location securely, and for info about how a VPN helps you preserve your right to free speech. We’ll also explain whether it’s legal to use a VPN in the US, and whether you can use a free VPN to access Bluesky.

How to access BlueSky in Mississippi with a VPN

If you’ve never used a VPN before, don’t worry – it only takes a couple of minutes. As long as you choose a trusted VPN with robust protocols like WireGuard or OpenVPN, you’ll be able to use Bluesky privately. The VPNs we tested use strong encryption, letting you get around the Bluesky Mississippi block without being tracked.

Our recommendations have apps for all platforms, which means you can use BlueSky on any device. Please note that not all VPNs are secure, so it’s crucial to choose a recommended provider.

Below, we’ve outlined the steps needed to access BlueSky in Mississippi with a VPN:

1. Pick a VPN we’ve tested with Bluesky. Our top recommendation is NordVPN for its fast servers and strong security. Surfshark is a highly advanced VPN that offers unlimited connections, perfect for families. And TotalVPN is ideal for users on a budget who want a rock-solid VPN that comes bundled free with TotalAV antivirus.
2. Follow the link and subscribe. Use the links in this guide to get the best price. We have agreed on steep discounts for our readers, which are implemented automatically via the link. Every VPN comes with a money-back guarantee to test them risk-free.
3. Download and install the VPN app. Apps are available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and more, so you can access Bluesky on any device.
4. Launch the app and connect to a server outside Mississippi. This gives you a new IP address and allows you to bypass the Mississippi Bluesky block.
5. Log in to your Bluesky account. Thanks to your VPN, you’ll be able to scroll your feed, post, and interact as usual.

If Bluesky still doesn’t load, we recommend accessing your account via the website instead of the app. Apps often use secondary tracking methods such as GPS, which might conflict with your VPN. It is also a good idea to clear your browser’s cookies and cache. This ensures that trackers left in your browser during previous sessions aren’t giving away your real location.

How to Join Bluesky: Step-by-Step Guide

Interested in seeing what all the fuss is about? You can sign up for Bluesky in Mississippi (or anywhere else) by following the steps below. Anyone over 13 can join where the app is legal.

Please bear in mind that children under the age of 13 should not be allowed or encouraged to use a VPN to access the service, as minors are not permitted to join under Bluesky’s Terms of Service.

Steps to join Bluesky with a VPN:

1. Connect to a VPN server outside of Mississippi. We recommended the best VPNs earlier in this guide.
2. Go to Bluesky’s website to sign up. The app should also work with a VPN.
3. Create an account by entering your email address, setting a password, and confirming your age.
4. Choose a handle (your @username) that will represent you on the platform.
5. Customize your feed by selecting topics of interest or subscribing to custom feeds created by other users.
6. Start following accounts directly or through Starter Packs to build your network.
7. Adjust your moderation settings to mute unwanted topics or control who can interact with your posts.

That’s it. You’re ready to post skeets, join conversations, and explore Bluesky’s community-driven features.

Why is Bluesky blocked in Mississippi?

Bluesky is blocked in Mississippi because of a new state law (HB 1126), which requires users of social media platforms to verify their age, obtain parental consent for minors, and forces platforms to track which users are children. Bluesky says the law brings too many risks for its users, so it decided to block access in Mississippi.

The company explained that the Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act (HB 1126) would force it to gather sensitive data, set up costly age-verification systems, and even keep logs of minors. All of this is complex, expensive, and creates significant privacy and security concerns.

This is particularly concerning when it comes to children’s data, which, if compromised, could affect them for the rest of their lives.

Security experts have warned that complying with age-verification rules means storing huge amounts of ID data that could end up being exposed in a breach. This would not only put users at risk but could also expose the platform to liability and fines for non-compliance. Bluesky commented:

“Mississippi’s approach would fundamentally change how users access Bluesky… The law makes it harder for people to engage in free expression and chills the opportunity to communicate in new ways.”

This statement highlights the broader debate over privacy and freedom, highlighting that laws like HB 1126 threaten free speech, hinder innovation for small platforms, and increase risks to users’ privacy.

Can I use a free VPN to access Bluesky?

Yes, you can use a free VPN to access Bluesky in Mississippi, but there are some critical considerations. If you use Bluesky to share videos (video sharing has been permitted since September 2024), you will need fast enough speeds to stream without buffering. Unfortunately, free VPNs suffer from congestion and often have bandwidth restrictions. This makes them too slow for streaming.

If you only use Bluesky to share skeets, your bandwidth needs will be much lower, which means you might be able to get by with a free VPN without too much irritation. That said, you should expect slower speeds, longer load times for images, and some frustration if videos on the platform fail to play.

Free VPN considerations

Please note that many free VPNs pose a risk to your privacy. If you intend to use a free VPN to access Bluesky, it is recommended to stick with trustworthy providers like ProtonVPN and Hotspot Shield, which offer free tiers that don’t compromise on essential privacy features.

Many other free VPNs cut corners with outdated apps, weak protocols, and apps that suffer from DNS/IP leaks, invasive data collection, or even spyware. That is the opposite of what you need if your goal is to use Bluesky privately.

If you decide on a free option, we urge you to stick to the basic free plans offered by the VPNs mentioned above. Studies have revealed that other VPNs advertised on popular app stores can be a threat to the safety of your devices.

Overall, a cheap paid VPN is still the better choice. For around $30 per year, you can get fast servers, watertight privacy, and reliable access to Bluesky from anywhere. That way, you do not have to compromise on speed or take risks with your personal data.

Why can’t I use Bluesky if I don’t live in Mississippi?

Some people on Reddit have reported that Bluesky is blocked for them even though they don’t live in Mississippi. This usually happens if you’re close to the state border or if your ISP routes traffic through a gateway server located in Mississippi. In those cases, you may get caught up in the blanket ban.

If this happens to you, the easiest fix is to use a VPN. By connecting to a VPN server in another US state, or outside of the US, you can quickly bypass the Mississippi Bluesky block and regain access to your account.

What is the Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act (HB 1126)?

The Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act (HB 1126) is a Mississippi law that regulates how young people access social media. It was signed into law on April 30, 2024, by Mississippi’s governor.

It requires every user to verify their age before signing up. If the user is a minor, platforms must obtain parental consent and track which accounts belong to children.

Companies that fail to comply face steep fines, with penalties running into thousands of dollars per violation. Lawmakers claim they designed the rules to improve child safety online and prevent minors from being exposed to harmful content.

Why did BlueSky decide not to comply with HB 1126 age verification requirement?

The developers of Bluesky, along with privacy and security advocates, have criticized HB 1126 for several reasons. They argue the law creates serious privacy risks by forcing platforms to collect and store huge amounts of ID data. Holding this kind of sensitive information in a central database greatly increases the risk of leaks or data breaches.

For Bluesky, which is still a relatively small social media platform, the liabilities introduced by HB 1126 are enormous. If a cybersecurity breach exposed millions of users’ IDs, regulators could hold the company responsible and impose devastating penalties. In the US, regulators like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforce data protection rules under the FTC Act and also sector-specific regulations, for example, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

Depending on the size of a breach, fines could easily add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars, something that would be crippling for Bluesky.

Critics argue that forcing platforms to collect and store sensitive identification data they otherwise would not keep only increases the chance of breaches.With this in mind, critics say HB 1126 is basically counterproductive. It piles on new liabilities for platforms and more risks for consumers, while doing very little to actually protect children.

For Bluesky, the cost of building age-verification systems added to the responsibility of managing sensitive identification data is too risky. That’s why the company decided to block access in Mississippi.

What is the AT Protocol?

To understand why Bluesky works differently, it helps to know about the AT Protocol.

The AT Protocol is an open-source, decentralized network that anyone can use to build social applications. It’s the protocol behind Bluesky, helping the platform promote privacy and free speech by design.

The AT Protocol decentralizes Bluesky, so people share ideas without relying on central servers vulnerable to takedown requests or censorship. This architecture gives users more confidence that their conversations won’t vanish because of platform rules or government pressure.

As a result, it builds trust among users who dislike the strict moderation and heavy-handed censorship often seen on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit.

What is Bluesky, and why is it becoming popular?

Bluesky is a new kind of social platform that has gained momentum as one of the most promising Twitter alternatives. Jack Dorsey, former CEO of Twitter, originally launched Bluesky to move social networking away from the centralized model that other platforms use. It runs on the AT Protocol, an open-source framework that gives users more control over how they interact with each other.

Unlike X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and TikTok, Bluesky is not run by a single company. Instead, it uses a distributed network that lets users create independent communities. This approach has led to rapid Bluesky growth. In the past year, millions of disgruntled Twitter users have signed up, drawn by the platform’s familiar communication style but with the added control that decentralization brings.

Useful customization features

One of Bluesky’s standout features is the ability to create and follow custom feeds. This lets you curate your own timeline, free from the influence of algorithms that force-feed content in a bubble designed to trigger addictive dopamine loops.

The platform also includes advanced content moderation tools, such as custom keyword filters and user-controlled safety settings. This gives users the power to shape their own experience –  seeing the content they want rather than what company algorithms decide to force on them.

What’s more, many users see its decision not to comply with Mississippi’s new age verification laws as a plus. They welcome Bluesky’s stance against what they view as attempts to control the platform and limit free speech.

Bluesky user growth: How many people are using it?

Bluesky stands out compared to other new social apps due to its fast growth. Think of it as the Pied Piper of the social world – just with fewer hilarious disasters. The platform now has more than 23.2 million registered users, with new accounts popping up at about five sign-ups every second.

In the US, there are already around 3.2 million daily active users, which means Bluesky is no longer just a “niche” outsider platform. Politics and big news events drive much of this growth. For example, after Brazil suspended X (formerly Twitter), 3 million people joined Bluesky almost overnight.

In America, users boosted activity by 500% on election day, showing they turn to Bluesky when they fear bias on larger platforms. Many now call Bluesky the best Twitter alternative and its most serious competitor yet.

The platform is thriving, and that momentum just keeps building day by day.

Is it legal to use a VPN to unblock Bluesky?

Yes. It is completely legal to use a VPN in the United States, including in Mississippi. HB 1126 does not make VPN use illegal, nor does it prevent residents from accessing Bluesky. The law places obligations on platforms to verify age and obtain parental consent, but it does not punish individuals for using Bluesky.

Bluesky chose to block access in Mississippi rather than comply with HB 1126, which is why you need a VPN. Bypassing this block with a VPN is not against US law. Citizens in Mississippi are free to change their virtual location and continue using the platform.

Who runs Bluesky?

While Bluesky is a decentralized platform, the company still has developers, managers, and other staff working behind the scenes. It is currently led by CEO Jay Graber, who is guiding the social media project toward building a healthier, more open network.

What are the key features that give Bluesky users more control?

Bluesky sets itself apart from other platforms by giving users the tools to shape their own experience. Below we’ve included the main advantages:

• Custom feeds let you create and share timelines built around your own interests, instead of being stuck with a single algorithm-driven feed.
• Starter packs make it easier for newcomers to get started by following curated lists of accounts, which helps build a community feel from day one.
• Advanced content moderation gives you options like keyword filters to mute unwanted topics and controls over who can reply to your posts. Some critics warn that this could lead to echo chambers, but many users appreciate the extra control.

Bluesky in Mississippi FAQs