X to Display User Location, Account Details in Bid to Combat Bot Problem

In a new effort to tackle the persistent issue of fake accounts on X (formerly Twitter), the platform will begin displaying additional user information publicly in profile sections starting next week, according to a recent announcement by X head of product Nikita Bier.

The experimental feature, dubbed “About this account,” will reveal several previously private details about users, including their country of residence, account creation date, username change history, and how they access the platform — whether via desktop or mobile app.

“The idea is to allow users to verify an account’s authenticity,” Bier explained in his post. The feature could potentially help users identify coordinated spam campaigns, particularly when they notice multiple suspicious new followers originating from the same region.

The announcement comes nearly three years after Elon Musk acquired Twitter in 2022 with repeated promises to reduce bot prevalence and “authenticate all real humans.” Despite these commitments, the platform’s bot problem appears to persist. According to a cybersecurity firm cited by Mashable, approximately 76% of traffic from X during last year’s Super Bowl was identified as fake.

Musk’s original authentication plans have since evolved into a paid verification model, which critics argue has created new problems rather than solving existing ones. This latest transparency initiative represents yet another approach to addressing the platform’s ongoing challenges with fake accounts.

However, the new feature has already sparked privacy concerns among users. In response to the announcement, several individuals questioned whether they would be able to opt out of having their location displayed publicly. One user expressed unease about geographic information being visible to all, while another suggested the system should go further by revealing which specific device a user posts from.

Bier responded that his team is “experimenting with various device details for users to form judgments on authenticity,” raising additional privacy considerations about how much personal information should be accessible to others on the platform.

While the feature initially aims to combat bot activity, critics worry it could lead to discrimination based on geography or even device type. The concern is particularly valid for users in regions where free speech may face governmental restrictions or penalties.

Addressing some of these concerns, Bier acknowledged that “in countries where speech can have penalties, we should substitute country for region,” suggesting a more generalized approach to location sharing in certain cases. He also confirmed that “there will be privacy toggles” allowing users to hide certain information, though he noted that opting for privacy “will likely be highlighted on their profile” — potentially creating a different kind of visibility issue.

The initial test will be limited to “a handful of X team members” to gather feedback before potentially rolling out more broadly. This phased approach may allow the platform to refine the feature based on user reactions and privacy considerations.

For longtime users frustrated with X’s bot problem, the initiative represents another attempt to improve platform authenticity. However, it raises important questions about the balance between transparency and privacy in social media. Some users have expressed concern that the feature could inadvertently encourage geographic discrimination, as demonstrated by one reply to Bier’s announcement that implied Canada was a source of trolls.

As social media continues to grapple with authenticity and verification challenges, X’s approach will be closely watched by industry observers and privacy advocates alike, particularly as it navigates the delicate balance between combating fake accounts and protecting legitimate users’ privacy.