Bluesky Temporarily Suspends VP JD Vance’s Account Due to Auto-Flag

When U.S. Vice President JD Vance signed up for Bluesky on Wednesday evening, he was immediately and unexpectedly banned from the platform. Bluesky later confirmed that the suspension was caused by an automated system designed to detect impersonation attempts.

“Vice President Vance’s account was briefly flagged by our automated systems that try to detect impersonation attempts, which have targeted public figures like him in the past,” a Bluesky spokesperson told TechCrunch. “The account was quickly restored and verified so people can easily confirm its authenticity.”

The suspension lasted only a short time, after which Vance’s account was reinstated and officially verified. Bluesky emphasized that the flag was not politically motivated but rather a precautionary response to the high number of impersonation attempts public figures often face.

“We welcome the Vice President to join the conversation on Bluesky,” the company added.

JD Vance’s first post after joining Bluesky was a response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a Tennessee law restricting gender-affirming care for transgender minors—a topic likely to draw attention across political lines.

Though the glitch was brief, the incident underscores the growing pains Bluesky faces as more high-profile figures migrate to the platform.