Jim from Ohiopushing divisive content might suddenly show a Nigeria or Russia label. Nothing kills astroturfing faster than a mandatory return address.
How It Works
The feature displays an Account based in
section on user profiles, using multiple data signals rather than self-reported information:
- IP Geolocation: Internet connection location data
- App Store Connection: Regional store where the app was downloaded
- Device Data: Location from phone or computer sign-ups
- Payment Information: Billing address for X Premium subscribers
Why This Matters Now
The launch follows X’s recent removal of 1.7 million bot accounts and comes amid growing concerns about AI-powered disinformation campaigns. Research shows foreign actors increasingly use generative AI to create convincing fake personas at scale.
| Transparency Feature | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Country Label | Reveals account origin |
| Username History | Shows identity changes |
| Account Creation Date | Identifies new accounts |
| Device Information | Verifies authenticity |
Privacy Considerations
Users can opt out of displaying their location, though X indicates this choice will be highlighted on profiles. For users in regions where political expression carries risks, the platform may display region or continent instead of specific countries.
The Bigger Picture
As Bier stated: “When you read content on X, you should be able to verify its authenticity.” This initiative positions X alongside platforms like Instagram, which already offers similar transparency tools, in the broader fight against coordinated inauthentic behavior.
