Bluesky’s AT (Authenticated Transfer) protocol is considered technically superior to ActivityPub for decentralized social media due to its focus on scalability, interoperability, and user control. Let’s see why:
Scalability and Performance: The AT protocol is designed to handle a large number of users and content exchanges efficiently, making it more suitable for platforms with high activity levels. It offers advanced mechanisms for data synchronization and replication that reduce server load and improve performance compared to ActivityPub.
Interoperability: AT protocol emphasizes seamless interaction between different platforms using decentralized identity standards. This allows users to maintain a single digital identity across multiple networks, unlike ActivityPub, which often struggles with consistent cross-platform communication.
User-Centric Control: AT focuses heavily on giving users control over their data and algorithms. Unlike ActivityPub, which relies on server-to-server communication, AT enables users to have more say in how their content is managed, accessed, and shared.
Algorithmic Flexibility: One of the standout features of the AT protocol is its “algorithmic choice,” allowing users to customize their feed algorithms. This is a step forward from ActivityPub, which lacks this level of personalization.
Modern Infrastructure: The AT protocol leverages cutting-edge cryptographic techniques and modern development practices, providing a robust and future-proof basis for decentralized social media.