X, formerly Twitter, is rolling out a new transparency feature to user profiles designed to combat inauthentic activity like bots and misinformation. The update displays information about an account’s history, including its location, username change frequency, join date and how the user initially downloaded the app. This move comes as platforms face increasing pressure to address the rise of artificial intelligence-powered bots capable of sophisticated deception.
The rollout began after X Head of Product Nikita Bier announced in October that the company would experiment with providing more account context. Bier initially enabled the feature on his own profile and those of other X employees, stating the intention was to help users assess the authenticity of accounts they interact with. A recent user query to Elon Musk sparked a timeframe for wider implementation, with Bier confirming a 72-hour window for the feature to appear for more users.
Understanding the New X Profile Information
Users can now access details about their own accounts by clicking on the “Joined” date displayed on their profile. This directs them to a page containing key information: the original date the account was created, the account’s registered location, a record of any username changes made – including the dates of those changes – and the method used to download the X app (e.g., Google Play Store, Apple App Store).
Currently, accessibility to this information for *other* user profiles appears limited, though many are reporting the “About this account” option showing up on their accounts. X has not publicly announced a full, public rollout, suggesting a phased approach where users can first review their own displayed data. The company may be giving users an opportunity to adjust their settings before the information becomes widely viewable.
Location Privacy Settings
X offers users some control over the location information displayed. While the default setting is to show the account’s country, users can opt to display only their broader geographical region or continent. This option, initially presented as a mechanism to protect free speech in regions with penalties, is surprisingly available to all users, including those in the United States.
Additionally, reverse engineers exploring the X app’s code have discovered an upcoming feature that would warn users if an account is employing a VPN to mask its location. The warning would indicate that the “country or region may not be accurate,” further highlighting X’s efforts to increase transparency about account origins. This builds on current social media trends regarding security measures.
X has not officially commented on the rollout or the planned VPN detection feature. However, Bier acknowledged the growing number of users reporting the new visibility on social media, hinting at a deliberate phase-in rather than a glitch. This new feature potentially impacts user engagement.
This move isn’t unprecedented. Platforms like Instagram have long included a similar “About this Account” section, providing users with details about account creation and authenticity. The rollout of this feature on X is particularly noteworthy given Elon Musk’s wider efforts to reshape the platform and its policies regarding verification and bot detection. Prior to this, verification badges were often associated with notable users, acting as a sort of implicit trust signal.
The addition of this information could be a significant step in reducing the effectiveness of malicious actors on the platform. By making it easier to identify potentially inauthentic accounts, X aims to give users more control over their online experience and prevent the spread of misinformation. The effectiveness of this feature will depend on user adoption and X’s ability to consistently enforce its policies regarding bot activity. It’s a proactive step against the misuse of social media platforms.
Looking ahead, the next critical step is the full public rollout of “About this Account” access for all users. It remains uncertain when X will enable the ability to view this information for other accounts, or when the VPN detection warning will go live. However, the company’s initial actions suggest a commitment to greater transparency, and it will be important to monitor how this impacts the platform’s overall ecosystem in the coming weeks and months.
