Elon Musk’s X has officially begun rolling out a new “About this account” transparency tool on user profiles. The feature, designed to help users combat bots, misinformation, and inauthentic behavior, surfaces key details about an account’s origin and history, including the user’s base location/country.
This initiative is X’s latest bet on crowdsourced authenticity verification and follows a commitment from Head of Product Nikita Bier to deliver stricter transparency tools.
Also read: No Samsungs, Only iPhones: Why London Phone Thieves Have Their Priorities Set
What the X Transparency Feature Reveals
The panel is accessible by tapping the “Joined” date on a user’s profile and provides a snapshot of the account’s life:
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Location: The account’s base country or region (chosen by the user).
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Join Date: The original date the account was created.
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Username History: The number of times the username has been changed.
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App Source: How the X app was downloaded (e.g., US App Store or Google Play).
This data is intended to help users identify red flags. For instance, an account claiming to be U.S.-based but showing activity from overseas gives users a reason to question its motives.
Also read: No Samsungs, Only iPhones: Why London Phone Thieves Have Their Priorities Set
🔒 Privacy Controls and Limitations
While this move makes X the latest platform to adopt transparency (following features like Instagram’s similar tool), the rollout comes with crucial privacy considerations:
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User Choice: Users can choose whether to display their specific country or a broader geographical region via settings under Privacy and Safety.
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VPN Warning: Reverse-engineering of the app’s code suggests X is developing a warning that will alert others if an account uses a VPN, notifying that the “country or region may not be accurate.”
Though the feature is gradually appearing on many users’ profiles, the panel is not yet universally visible on all profiles, giving users time to review and adjust their settings.
Also read: No Samsungs, Only iPhones: Why London Phone Thieves Have Their Priorities Set
