I can only use Bluesky now on my home WiFi since it looks like my cell provider routes through Mississippi servers at some point. This is the dumbest timeline.
Replies
Forgive me my ignorance, but writing from Europe...Are you saying that some US states (ie Mississippi) block Bluesky?
aug 23, 2025, 9:52 pm • 6 0 • view
Mississippi, and other mostly Republican led states, are instituting “age verification” laws that require social media companies like Bluesky to implement specific requirements in order to operate in the state. Involves collecting & storing user data and limiting free speech.
aug 23, 2025, 10:30 pm • 4 1 • view
Ok thanks for that.
aug 23, 2025, 10:33 pm • 3 0 • view
And location detection is not an entirely solved problem. It’s often pretty good but definitely makes mistakes as you get more granular. Country is usually very good, state/province is often correct but not always, and as you get to city it’s a lot more variable.
aug 25, 2025, 5:39 am • 1 0 • view
As I understand it, Bluesky is blocking Mississippi, because they now have a "prove your age" law for social media. To avoid possible criminal charges, Bluesky is blocking traffic from a Mississippi IP address. (If I've messed up details here, someone can correct me.)
aug 23, 2025, 10:19 pm • 18 0 • view
Thanks
aug 23, 2025, 10:30 pm • 3 0 • view
I'm very confused about everything. 😣 I'm in the UK, where we now have the proof of the law, and Bluesky won't let me access my DMs on here, because I don't want to give them my personal data or scan my face. Why didn't Bluesky just block the UK if they've blocked Mississippi?
aug 23, 2025, 10:59 pm • 1 0 • view
I don't work for Bluesky, so I'm not familiar with the differences in how they are handling the two situations. Possibly a difference between US and UK laws? See if you can use a VPN. There are several free ones, although you have more limitations than the paid versions. See archive.ph/lpYFZ
aug 23, 2025, 11:10 pm • 2 0 • view
Ah, maybe. Thanks. 🌟 I can't keep up with everything people in authority are doing. I looked at getting a VPN, but I'm too paranoid to use a free one, & too skint to use a paid one. I'd rather miss out, as I'm very antisocial & can retreat into actual books & ancient video tapes if I have to. 😂
aug 23, 2025, 11:15 pm • 2 0 • view
Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you. 😉 There are also online proxies, but I don't know how well they work if you go to a site like Bluesky and start clicking around. Try proxygratis.id/en, for example. But I'd never discourage more time with books and videos.
aug 23, 2025, 11:21 pm • 1 0 • view
Thank you. 🌟📚🤗💖
aug 24, 2025, 5:18 am • 1 0 • view
Suprised Nebraska isn't jumping on this bamdwagon, we don't much to jump off though... Look kids a New Walmart!
aug 23, 2025, 9:21 pm • 0 0 • view
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parental_Rights_in_Social_Media_Act
aug 23, 2025, 10:31 pm • 0 0 • view
Like all citizens of repressive governments you need to start to use VPNs. You should start rooting yours through Mexico
aug 23, 2025, 10:28 pm • 1 0 • view
Use a VPN and connect everything on all apps and devices 24/7 through a VPN. $50 a year or less and piff! Your ISP has no idea what you do online.
aug 23, 2025, 11:40 pm • 1 0 • view
This is odd. I'm connected to an MS wifi rn and having no issues. I wonder if it matters what kind of network you connect to? I'm connected to a store wifi.
aug 23, 2025, 10:21 pm • 1 0 • view
"This is the dumbest timeline." Non-synchronous messages making it useless to follow current events. Also pretty dumb.
aug 24, 2025, 10:37 am • 1 0 • view
Is X also required to verify age, or is it exempt because it's so full of right wing bullshit?
aug 23, 2025, 8:54 pm • 3 0 • view
They'd probably play along so that they can get everyone's data for themselves.
aug 23, 2025, 10:18 pm • 3 0 • view
I don't know if they're required, but they're definitely doing it to view anything labeled adult content. But you're forced to download the app to verify. No way to do it via browser that I found.
aug 24, 2025, 1:07 am • 0 0 • view
A VPN (yes, even on your cell phone) can mask you IP address to another state or even another country (same as it’s used on home Wifi & elsewhere).
aug 24, 2025, 2:08 pm • 0 0 • view
A VPN is also not undetectable. People need to prepare.
aug 25, 2025, 3:41 am • 1 0 • view
You can use a VPN & not use other service options that’d alert someone (ad blocks, etc) for signs of a VPN. I can use my VPN to connect to a server in Switzerland for local access to free streaming of F1 races, but disable all other aspects of the VPN to allow their ads & such. So VPN isn’t flagged.
aug 25, 2025, 4:16 am • 1 0 • view
I can do all that, too. Now try going to a website that blocks the use of vpn's, like truth social*. My point is that a vpn is not foolproof, and people had better have backup plans. *Only using as an example because i know they do that.
aug 25, 2025, 8:18 am • 0 0 • view
Get the 1.1.1.1 app from Cloudflare and turn on Warp. Free VPN, no ads. Works great.
aug 23, 2025, 9:22 pm • 6 0 • view
My ISP is based in Nebraska and they’re too lazy to make me “be” in Colorado so I get Cloudflared a lot more than I do when I’m on a cell signal.
aug 23, 2025, 9:35 pm • 1 0 • view
Can someone tell me what the deal is with Mississippi and Bluesky?
aug 26, 2025, 12:34 pm • 0 0 • view
I can go via the browser app, but can’t get in through the app itself. A sign I just should be on less to begin with I guess.
aug 23, 2025, 11:37 pm • 5 0 • view
I had a similar thought. Made me realize I’ve come to depend on it. Unfortunately expressing that has led to some wild responses.
aug 23, 2025, 11:48 pm • 4 0 • view
To quote The (Dixie) Chicks covering Bob Dylan: "Stayed in Mississippi way too long."
aug 23, 2025, 8:24 pm • 1 0 • view
I think proton.me has a free vpn.
aug 23, 2025, 7:33 pm • 48 3 • view
as someone in a red state who definitely never goes on the internet to look at pictures and videos of corn, my friend can confirm, free proton is solid. he loves his mixed vegetables.
aug 23, 2025, 8:30 pm • 51 1 • view
🌽 filters optional
aug 23, 2025, 8:48 pm • 8 0 • view
Until recently I strongly recommended Proton's services, even though if you don't use a free email account for too long it deletes you (totally fair, but it's where 23&me reached me,oops.) But recently they've been bragging about using AI Vibe Coding, which is a big security/reliability threat.
aug 25, 2025, 1:45 am • 4 0 • view
Which is still perfectly fine if you're using a VPN to work around Mississippi-style censorship or country-restricted licensed-content access, but isn't good if you need actual security.
aug 25, 2025, 1:47 am • 2 0 • view
I have been using ProtonVPN (in the paid version) globally for years, including for streaming and in countries with limited freedom of information. I can only recommend it. Proton is also not subject to the US Cloud Act.
aug 24, 2025, 8:18 am • 5 0 • view
I’m a big fan of their email and encrypted cloud drive too.
aug 24, 2025, 8:20 am • 1 0 • view
I also use ProtonMail. I think Tresorit is better for Secure Cloud, mainly because of more features for sharing files and folders. Lumo, the AI from Proton, is still new, not quite at the level of Gemini and ChatGPT, but it will develop. And above all, Lumo is not a privacy disaster.
aug 24, 2025, 8:27 am • 1 0 • view
Try a VPN app on your phone. That should get around it.
aug 23, 2025, 7:13 pm • 7 0 • view
Not sure if Paul is allowed to see this, but: bsky.app/profile/mary...
aug 25, 2025, 8:20 am • 0 0 • view
Mullvad VPN five dollars a month. Wish we didn't have to use it
aug 23, 2025, 7:55 pm • 1 0 • view
i can use bluesky on my phone and not my ipad 😡
aug 23, 2025, 8:40 pm • 0 0 • view
I’m in Chicago and it’s exactly the same
aug 23, 2025, 8:38 pm • 0 0 • view
Proton VPN might help out with most sites you want to access, and may have already been suggested. However, I advise that you also install Tor Browser while you still can. Even if you don't anticipate using it, no doubt you'll want it in your back pocket for a worst case scenario.
aug 23, 2025, 10:08 pm • 3 0 • view
VPN all day every day!
aug 23, 2025, 7:54 pm • 9 0 • view
I do feel bad for any decent people living in Mississippi. Sorry your state sucks
aug 24, 2025, 2:01 pm • 1 0 • view
Good news: looks like Bluesky can see I don’t live in Mississippi Bad news: previous post escaped containment
aug 23, 2025, 10:28 pm • 173 3 • view
Mr. Political!
aug 23, 2025, 10:52 pm • 12 0 • view
My fleeting complaint was CLEARLY an endorsement of fascism.
aug 23, 2025, 11:12 pm • 41 2 • view
Mississippi has servers?
aug 23, 2025, 7:38 pm • 40 1 • view
Last time I was in Waffle House I had one....
aug 23, 2025, 9:22 pm • 14 0 • view
🔥🔥🔥
aug 24, 2025, 1:15 am • 0 0 • view
In a Mississippi Waffle House? I hope you used protection.
aug 24, 2025, 2:00 am • 0 0 • view
Only at waffle house
aug 24, 2025, 4:04 pm • 14 0 • view
you have to fight just to get online
aug 25, 2025, 9:55 pm • 2 0 • view
Probably not for much longer
aug 24, 2025, 12:22 pm • 1 0 • view
Same in Mississippi here 👎🏽
aug 24, 2025, 9:22 pm • 0 0 • view
Wth? Where do you live? I’m in GA. Don’t think our legislature would pass this but now I’m worried about TN, SC, Florida doing this and wondering if that would affect us.
aug 23, 2025, 8:13 pm • 1 0 • view
How are FB, IG, Twitter and so on…working in Mississippi? This could not effect only Bluesky?
aug 23, 2025, 9:31 pm • 3 0 • view
Maybe they’re ignoring the law knowing that Mississippi won’t have the balls to go after them? Mets could probably buy the state several times over.
aug 24, 2025, 1:04 am • 3 0 • view
bsky.app/profile/pfra...
aug 23, 2025, 9:54 pm • 1 0 • view
Dumb WiFi server and dumb law. This flawed law is a invasion of our identity and privacy...all so we can ALL be spied on and harassed!!
aug 23, 2025, 7:53 pm • 1 0 • view
Blame the Large Hadron Collider. It's the reason we have people saying we're "misremembering" Depends/Depend, Berenstein/Berenstain Bears, Proctor and Gamble/Procter and Gamble. No...the timeline was altered and we got a bad roll.
aug 23, 2025, 10:57 pm • 4 0 • view
I wish it was that simple.
aug 25, 2025, 11:01 pm • 0 0 • view
lol. Curious. How does that work? Some of us got moved to a different universe/timeline, and have memories from another? Is proximity a factor? Are Europeans more at risk of timeline exile?
aug 23, 2025, 11:07 pm • 2 0 • view
Pretty sure it affects everyone in the world (universe?) on our timeline. Some dude did some pretty compelling research on the "misremembering" phenomenon and found it had a nexus around the time the collider was first used in like 2008. It's on Reddit, look it up.
aug 23, 2025, 11:11 pm • 2 0 • view
Haha I stay away from Reddit on principal, this sort of thing contributing
aug 23, 2025, 11:24 pm • 7 0 • view
Seriously, follow the stuff he checked, do it yourself, and it's very compelling, especially if you're old enough to remember clearly all the "misremembered" things that have changed slightly on this timeline.
aug 23, 2025, 11:29 pm • 0 0 • view
Personally I’d be VERY concerned about the residual time that seems to be leaking through, when they’ve seen this before it’s because the containment was compromised and the new timeline is unstable, the universe is about to implode within the next few minutes!! 🤯
aug 24, 2025, 12:55 pm • 1 0 • view
That's so ridiculous.
aug 23, 2025, 11:13 pm • 3 0 • view
I guess them doing more collisions could give us a better roll, so maybe keep it going for a while?
aug 23, 2025, 11:28 pm • 0 0 • view
I need more details, like by collisions you mean the dice have to smash into each other? what kind of dice, where do I get some? How do I set up the spot where I throw the dice?
aug 24, 2025, 1:02 pm • 0 0 • view
Unless you have about $5 billion, that set is out of your reach.
aug 24, 2025, 3:46 pm • 0 0 • view
Darn
aug 24, 2025, 5:14 pm • 0 0 • view
Please explain in great detail how this works for the rest of us who might be interested to roll the TIMELINE DICE and make a new future for ourselves, I’m assuming you can complete the spell with a standard D&D dice set?
aug 24, 2025, 12:58 pm • 0 0 • view
VPN is the solution. Should be using one all the time anyhow. No reason to let your cell provider hoover up all your browsing history.
aug 23, 2025, 8:36 pm • 8 0 • view
Let the VPN provider do it instead. Do you bet they don't?
aug 23, 2025, 9:01 pm • 8 0 • view
if you choose a VPN which has been proven to not keep logs (mullvad and proton are both good options for this), then yeah. you should never blindly trust any company in any sector for any reason, but a company that passes audits and has no incentive to log your data is a better option than any ISP
aug 23, 2025, 10:30 pm • 3 0 • view
nordvpn.com/features/no-...
aug 24, 2025, 2:20 am • 0 0 • view
"Well, they would say that, wouldn't they" A commercial VPN provider that charges for services does have an income stream that depends on customer trust and is likely to stick to their word under normal circumstances and not keep logs routinely. They may still be required by law to be able to 1/
aug 24, 2025, 7:27 am • 0 0 • view
set up for targeted monitoring. Much like an ISP. The "free" services will need to cover operating expenses one way or another.
aug 24, 2025, 7:27 am • 0 0 • view
100% chance your provider does since they tell you they do in the EUA. Less than 100% your VPN does since most claim not to in their EUA. If they violate the agreement you have grounds to sue, their rep is trashed & they are out of business. A very strong financial disincentive.
aug 23, 2025, 9:19 pm • 11 0 • view
Actually I know my ISP doesn't. It's a small ISP and I know where he lives.
aug 23, 2025, 9:23 pm • 0 0 • view
Further, let's say the government subpoenas them for a traffic log. If they have a log to turn over and they comply, they are out of business. If, per their EULA, they claim no log and the government is unable to prove otherwise then you are likely good.
aug 23, 2025, 9:28 pm • 6 0 • view
I've heard others claim that "it might be a front for the CIA." The CIA has certainly run front companies in the past. The trouble is they can only expose that info once and then their cover is blown. They got to make it count. Nothing is bulletproof but there's no point in making it easy.
aug 23, 2025, 9:28 pm • 3 0 • view
"Nothing is bulletproof but there's no point in making it easy." Words to live by, right there. 👍
aug 25, 2025, 4:20 pm • 0 0 • view
One final note, our government isn't the only one interested in VPN user logs if they in fact existed. Foreign govs and Hollywood's DRM Nazis would also love to get their hands on VPN logs if the existed as well. To the best of my knowledge they have never been able to subpoena any for use in court.
aug 23, 2025, 10:07 pm • 6 0 • view
VPNs are widely used in China and the government has had little ability to limit their use or access logs to find dissidents. Same with the UK government. www.tomsguide.com/computing/vp...
aug 23, 2025, 10:12 pm • 6 1 • view
Note: EXPRESS VPN and I'm sure others has a version of their software for mobile devices.
aug 23, 2025, 10:56 pm • 1 0 • view
RW ties www.spacebar.news/expressvpn-i...
aug 25, 2025, 10:01 pm • 0 0 • view
Did not know that. Which is disappointing because I've had it for a couple years and it's one of the few not based in the US. Ugh. Now I'm on the search again for a new VPN.
aug 26, 2025, 3:15 am • 1 0 • view
Proton is a bit more neutral, Swiss and all
aug 26, 2025, 3:17 am • 1 0 • view
oh hey I'm in good company now (we have the same problem now but for completely different reasons)
aug 23, 2025, 10:28 pm • 1 0 • view