URGENT UPDATE: X (formerly Twitter) has just rolled out a controversial new feature that reveals users’ locations, igniting widespread backlash among users concerned about privacy. The update, launched over the weekend, allows anyone to view an account’s country or region along with its creation date, raising significant questions about the platform’s commitment to user safety.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED: In a statement by X’s head of product, Nikita Bier, the platform aims to enhance the integrity of discussions happening on its global town square. Users can now easily access this information by tapping the signup date on profiles. “This is an important first step to securing the integrity of the global town square,” Bier declared on X.
WHY IT MATTERS NOW: The immediate implications of this feature are profound. Users have already begun to uncover that several accounts, particularly those posting about American politics, including prominent figures like Donald Trump, are based outside the United States. For instance, the account named MAGA Nation, which frequently shares content about U.S. politics, was created in April 2024 and is located in Eastern Europe. This revelation could undermine trust in the platform, particularly during critical political discussions.
KEY DETAILS: Bier also addressed concerns for users in countries with restricted speech, stating that privacy toggles will be available to limit visibility to just their region. “For those in countries where speech has penalties, we’ve included privacy toggles to only show your region,” he explained. This feature rollout is seen as a response to increasing demands for transparency on social media platforms.
In addition, Bier acknowledged the significant work that went into this feature, thanking his engineering team: @sandeep_rao, @singhai, @mingsong, @striedinger, and @rzhao0506.
WHAT’S NEXT: As users navigate this new landscape, the ramifications of revealing account locations could lead to more stringent privacy measures and further debates on the ethics of transparency in social media. With many political accounts showing origins from countries like Bangladesh and India, the conversation around misinformation and foreign influence is likely to intensify.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops. The implications of this feature are unfolding rapidly, and users are urged to reassess their privacy settings immediately.