Waffles has acquired Bluesky, sparking debates on user moderation and platform identity.
Waffles buys Bluesky
Social media posts about waffles surge
Controversy over moderation policies
CEOs respond with humor
Historical context of user issues
Criticism of leadership decisions
Waffles officially acquired Bluesky on October 5, 2025. The acquisition was valued at $500, with the transaction processed on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker “WFLS”. This deal marked a significant moment for Bluesky, a social platform valued for its early advocacy of marginalized communities.[1][4]
Community Reactions and Moderation Issues
Following the acquisition, Bluesky’s platform saw a flood of humorous posts about waffles. However, this light-hearted moment quickly evolved into serious discussions about Bluesky’s moderation policies.
Controversy centered significantly around Jesse Singal, a figure whose presence has been divisive due to his views on transgender issues. A Change.org petition with over 28,000 signatures called for his banning after accusations that he violated community guidelines. Singal was formerly the most-blocked user on Bluesky.[4][7]
CEO Jay Graber responded to the controversy by emphasizing that harassment is ineffective in changing minds or policies. Graber also signaled a moderation philosophy focused on reducing confrontations rather than blanket bans, which has fueled ongoing tensions with some users feeling marginalized.[11][4]
This has led to growing dissatisfaction among users who believe Bluesky’s leadership has shifted away from its original inclusive mission, causing community fractures and criticism.
Platform Growth and Operations
By late 2025, Bluesky served over 27 million users with a lean team of 25 full-time employees and roughly 100 contractors, many dedicated to moderating content remotely. This efficient staffing structure supported rapid user growth while balancing operational costs. Bluesky also raised $23 million in funding over two rounds, underlining investor confidence despite community challenges.[9]
Decentralization and Future Direction
Graber has promoted decentralization as a key strategic element. This approach enables users to customize their own moderation systems, aiming to foster healthier dialogue and reduce user complaints by distributing control away from centralized authorities.[11]
The CEO also acknowledged that Bluesky was designed with the possibility that users leave if dissatisfied, underscoring a philosophy of user-driven platform evolution.[4]
Luca Fischer is a senior technology journalist with more than twelve years of professional experience specializing in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and consumer electronics. He earned his M.S. in Computer Science from Columbia University in 2011, where he developed a strong foundation in data science and network security before transitioning into tech media.
Throughout his career, Luca has been recognized for his clear, analytical approach to explaining complex technologies. His in-depth articles explore how AI innovations, privacy frameworks, and next-generation devices impact both industry and society.
Luca’s work has appeared across leading digital publications, where he delivers detailed reviews, investigative reports, and feature analyses on major players such as Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, AMD, Intel, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Perplexity AI.
Beyond writing, he mentors young journalists entering the AI-tech field and advocates for transparent, ethical technology communication. His goal is to make the future of technology understandable and responsible for everyone.
TechCrunch is an online news website that provides breaking news, analysis, and opinions on the technology industry, with a particular focus on startups and venture capital.
Founded in 2005, it covers emerging tech companies, funding rounds, and major tech players, and also hosts industry events like the annual Disrupt conference.
Elena Voren is a senior journalist and Tech Section Editor with 8 years of experience focusing on AI ethics, social media impact, and consumer software. She is recognized for interviewing industry leaders and academic experts while clearly distinguishing opinion from evidence-based reporting.
She earned her B.A. in Cognitive Science from the University of California, Berkeley (2016), where she studied human-computer interaction, AI, and digital behavior.
Elena’s work emphasizes the societal implications of technology, ensuring readers understand both the practical and ethical dimensions of emerging tools. She leads the Tech Section at Faharas NET, supervising coverage on AI, consumer software, digital society, and privacy technologies, while maintaining rigorous editorial standards.
Based in Berlin, Germany, Elena provides insightful analyses on technology trends, ethical AI deployment, and the influence of social platforms on modern life.
