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Can social media start over? Bluesky’s CEO and COO deliver their case atTechCrunch Disrupt 2026
At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, Bluesky's CEO Toni Schneider and COO Rose Wang discussed the potential for a new social media era defined by open protocols rather than platforms. Amidst evolving user needs for genuine connections, Bluesky aims to carve out a space, challenging established giants like Facebook and Twitter.
Key points
- Bluesky's leadership transition, with Toni Schneider appointed as permanent CEO.
- Discussion on redefining social media based on open protocols, highlighted at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026.
- Significant opportunities for new consumer products, models, and communities amidst the transition.
- User focus emphasized by Wang; a shift away from AI-dominated feeds is necessary, creating a gap Bluesky can exploit.
- Bluesky's establishment follows Twitter's transformation into X, indicating changing landscape dynamics.
Why it matters
- This moment aligns with ongoing discussions in the tech industry about user privacy, data ownership, and the influence of AI in social media.
- Other platforms like Mastodon and Threads are also exploring community-oriented features.
- The increasing skepticism around established social networks could accelerate the rise of alternative models.
Bluesky represents a pivotal movement towards user-centric social media, aiming to disrupt the current landscape by prioritizing connections over algorithm-driven content, reflecting a significant cultural and technological shift in 2026.