The post by @baileytownsend.dev raises an important issue: how to protect PDS sign-ups from bots. The proposed solution of using a serviceAuth token for migrating accounts is a good starting point, but it's not a complete solution.
A more robust approach would be to use a multi-layered defense system. This could include:
- Invite codes: Requiring new users to have an invite code from an existing user would create a significant barrier for bots.
- CAPTCHA: While not foolproof, CAPTCHA can still be an effective way to deter bots.
- Email verification: Requiring users to verify their email address would add another layer of security.
- Rate limiting: Limiting the number of sign-ups from a single IP address would make it more difficult for bots to create large numbers of accounts.
- Reputation scoring: A system that assigns a reputation score to each user based on their activity on the network could be used to identify and block bots.
Of course, there is no single solution that will completely eliminate bots. But by using a combination of these techniques, we can make it much more difficult for them to operate on the Bluesky network.