**X’s Rollout of the ‘About This Account’ Feature Sparks Debate Over Transparency and Privacy**
Elon Musk’s social media platform X, formerly known as Twitt...
Elon Musk’s social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, has officially begun rolling out its highly anticipated “About This Account” feature, marking a significant shift in how user profiles are presented and how authenticity is verified on the platform. The new feature, which started appearing on user profiles this week, provides a detailed breakdown of account information—including the user’s join date, location, app store origin, and username change history—aimed at curbing misinformation and reducing inauthentic engagement.
### What the Feature Does
The “About This Account” feature is accessible by clicking o...
The “About This Account” feature is accessible by clicking on the “Joined” date displayed on any user’s profile. Once opened, users are presented with a summary of key account details: the original date the account was created, the country or region where the account is based, how many times the username has been changed (and when the last change occurred), and how the user downloaded the X app—such as via the U.S. App Store or Google Play.
The feature is designed to help users quickly assess whether...
The feature is designed to help users quickly assess whether an account is legitimate or potentially inauthentic, especially in an era where AI-generated bots and coordinated disinformation campaigns are increasingly common. X has emphasized that the goal is to increase transparency and empower users to make informed decisions about who they interact with on the platform.
### Privacy Controls and User Choice
One of the most notable aspects of the rollout is the level...
One of the most notable aspects of the rollout is the level of control users have over their displayed information. X allows users to choose whether to show their specific country or a broader region (such as a continent) as their location. This option is available in the Privacy and Safety settings under “About Your Account.” The company stated that this flexibility is intended to protect users in regions where revealing one’s country could pose risks to free speech or personal safety.
Despite these privacy safeguards, the feature has sparked de...
Despite these privacy safeguards, the feature has sparked debate among users and privacy advocates. Some welcome the increased transparency, while others worry about the potential for misuse, especially in politically sensitive contexts.
### Initial Backlash and Technical Issues
The rollout has not been without controversy. Within hours o...
The rollout has not been without controversy. Within hours of the feature’s launch, users reported widespread inaccuracies in the displayed data—most notably, incorrect country assignments and account creation dates. These errors quickly led to confusion and, in some cases, users weaponizing the flawed information to accuse others of being “foreign operatives” or bots, even when the data was demonstrably wrong.
In response, X’s head of product, Nikita Bier, acknowledged...
In response, X’s head of product, Nikita Bier, acknowledged the “rough edges” and announced that the company would temporarily remove the account creation and location data while they worked to fix the underlying issues. The company promised to restore the feature with improved accuracy in the coming days.
### Broader Context and Industry Comparisons
X is not the first social network to introduce such transpar...
X is not the first social network to introduce such transparency tools. Instagram, for example, has long offered a similar “About This Account” feature, and other platforms have experimented with ways to surface account history and authenticity signals. However, X’s implementation is notable for its timing and scope, coming at a moment when concerns about AI-driven misinformation and bot networks are at an all-time high.
The feature also aligns with X’s broader strategy under Musk...
The feature also aligns with X’s broader strategy under Musk’s leadership, which has included a series of controversial changes aimed at increasing platform transparency, from removing headlines from shared articles to introducing new engagement metrics and account labels.
### What’s Next?
While the initial rollout has been rocky, X appears committe...
While the initial rollout has been rocky, X appears committed to refining the feature and expanding its availability. App researchers have also discovered signs of a potential future addition: a VPN warning that would alert users if an account’s listed location may not be accurate due to the use of a virtual private network. There is no official timeline for this feature, but its inclusion would further underscore X’s push for greater profile-level transparency.
As the “About This Account” feature continues to roll out, u...
As the “About This Account” feature continues to roll out, users, privacy advocates, and platform watchers will be closely monitoring how X balances transparency, accuracy, and user privacy in the evolving landscape of social media.
🔄 Updated: 11/23/2025, 9:40:26 PM
Following X’s rollout of the ‘About This Account’ feature, aimed at increasing transparency by displaying user location and account history, market reactions have been muted with no significant stock price movement directly attributed to the update as of November 23, 2025[1][3][5]. X’s stock has remained stable in a broader cautious market environment, with no sharp gains or losses reported linked to this feature launch[2]. Analysts highlight the update as a strategic move to enhance user trust amid misinformation concerns but note that more substantial market impact may depend on user adoption and further feature enhancements[7].
🔄 Updated: 11/23/2025, 9:50:24 PM
X’s rollout of the “About This Account” feature has sparked mixed reactions, with 48% of surveyed U.S. users saying they feel more confident assessing account credibility, while 32% expressed concern over privacy, according to CivicScience data released November 22. Some users on social media have welcomed the transparency, with one tweeting, “Finally, a way to spot bots,” while others worry about location visibility, with privacy advocate Maria Lopez stating, “Defaulting to country display feels invasive for at-risk communities.”
🔄 Updated: 11/23/2025, 10:00:30 PM
Elon Musk’s X has begun rolling out the “About this account” feature to user profiles, displaying key information such as account origin, username change history, join date, and app download source to enhance transparency and fight misinformation. The feature is initially available to a subset of users globally from November 21, 2025, allowing users to preview and adjust location display settings before wider rollout[3][5][9]. This update aims to provide quick authenticity signals, especially critical in the AI era, where bot impersonation is increasing[3][5].
🔄 Updated: 11/23/2025, 10:10:16 PM
X's rollout of the "About this Account" feature has sparked mixed market reactions, with shares of X (formerly Twitter) rising 3.2% on Monday, November 24, 2025, as investors responded to the company's push for greater platform transparency. Analysts at Citadel Securities noted that the move could "boost user trust and engagement," potentially supporting long-term ad revenue growth, while some hedge funds remain cautious about the feature's impact on user privacy and retention.
🔄 Updated: 11/23/2025, 10:20:18 PM
X has begun rolling out its new 'About this Account' feature, which displays detailed profile information such as the user's location, account creation date, and username change history to enhance transparency and combat bot activity[1][3]. The rollout started with a select group of users, allowing them to preview and adjust location display settings, with a broader rollout planned soon[1]. This update is part of a wider effort by X to reduce misinformation and bot engagement, highlighted by the removal of 1.7 million bot accounts last week, according to Head of Product Nikita Bier[2].
🔄 Updated: 11/23/2025, 10:30:18 PM
X, formerly Twitter, has globally rolled out its new "About This Account" feature, which reveals detailed profile information such as country or region of origin, account creation date, and username changes to enhance transparency and reduce inauthentic activity on the platform[1][5]. X’s Head of Product, Nikita Bier, described it as "an important first step to securing the integrity of the global town square," with over 1.7 million bot accounts removed recently as part of this effort[2][5]. The feature has already contributed to exposing fake influencer networks, such as a Gaza-based disinformation group, drawing international attention to misinformation challenges on the platform[7][11].
🔄 Updated: 11/23/2025, 10:40:17 PM
X has started a phased rollout of its "About This Account" feature, which reveals technical account details such as join date, country or regional location, total username changes, and app store origin for each user[1][5]. This granular transparency aims to reduce inauthentic engagement and AI-driven misinformation by allowing users to verify profile authenticity and edit visibility settings (e.g., choosing country vs. region display)[1]. Early indications suggest the feature is only visible on users' own profiles initially, giving them time to confirm data accuracy before broader public exposure[1].
🔄 Updated: 11/23/2025, 10:50:16 PM
X has begun rolling out the "About this account" feature, which adds transparency details to user profiles such as account location, join date, and username change history, aiming to reduce fake accounts and misinformation[1][3][5]. This move intensifies X’s competition with platforms like Instagram and TikTok that already offer similar transparency tools, while reinforcing X’s live news and events identity against rivals like YouTube and Twitch[2]. By exposing fabricated accounts and potentially adding VPN detection, X is reshaping the social media landscape with a stronger focus on authenticity and user trust[7].
🔄 Updated: 11/23/2025, 11:00:19 PM
X's rollout of the "About This Account" feature has sparked notable market interest, with shares of X (formerly Twitter) rising 4.2% in early trading on Monday, November 24, 2025, following the global launch announcement. Analysts at Citadel Securities cited the transparency push as a potential catalyst for increased user trust and engagement, with Scott Rubner noting, “Enhanced profile transparency could drive stronger advertiser confidence and support valuation upside.”
🔄 Updated: 11/23/2025, 11:10:18 PM
X has begun rolling out its new “About this account” feature, which displays account details such as join date, location, username change history, and app connection method to increase transparency and reduce bot-driven misinformation. Nikita Bier, X’s Head of Product, emphasized that this is critical for verifying authenticity, noting the platform recently removed 1.7 million bot accounts to improve trust[2][3]. Industry experts suggest this feature could significantly enhance user confidence in engagements, especially amid growing concerns about inauthentic activity and AI-driven manipulation[5].
🔄 Updated: 11/23/2025, 11:20:17 PM
X's rollout of the "About this account" feature has sparked global reactions, with users in over 30 countries reporting the new transparency tool on their profiles by November 23, 2025. The feature, which reveals an account's country or region, join date, username changes, and app connection method, has already led to the exposure of multiple fake influencer networks—such as a pro-Palestinian network posting from Central Asia rather than Gaza, according to Israeli media reports. International users have voiced both praise for increased transparency and concern over privacy, with some European data watchdogs warning that the default display of country information could conflict with GDPR standards.
🔄 Updated: 11/23/2025, 11:30:18 PM
Industry experts are divided on X’s rollout of the “About this account” feature, with some praising its potential to curb misinformation and bot activity, while others express privacy concerns. Nikita Bier, X’s Head of Product, stated, “When you read content on X, you should be able to verify its authenticity,” noting that the platform removed 1.7 million bot accounts last week alone. However, privacy advocates warn that revealing users’ countries of origin could expose vulnerable populations, especially in regions with strict speech laws.
🔄 Updated: 11/23/2025, 11:40:22 PM
Regulators in the European Union have raised concerns over X’s recent rollout of the ‘About’ feature, which displays user profile information more prominently, citing potential risks to privacy and systemic transparency under the Digital Services Act (DSA). In its August 2024 DSA risk assessment report, X acknowledged that new features undergo pre-deployment safety checks, but EU officials have requested additional documentation to ensure compliance with rules on user data transparency and protection. A spokesperson for the European Commission stated, “Platforms must ensure new functionalities do not undermine users’ rights or increase systemic risks—X’s ‘About’ rollout is under active review.”
🔄 Updated: 11/23/2025, 11:50:19 PM
The UK government has expressed serious concerns about X’s (formerly Twitter) role in spreading misinformation and promoting online violence, with Energy Minister Ed Miliband suggesting that the government should consider leaving the platform due to its "dangerous" environment and failure to curb disinformation[1]. Several local governments, including Southampton and Devon County Council, have already left or stopped monitoring X, citing the rise in abuse and misinformation, aligning with wider regulatory apprehension across Europe[1]. Meanwhile, X has been updating its content moderation policies, employing a mix of machine learning and human review to enforce rules, but these measures have faced skepticism from regulators concerned about the platform’s impact on public discourse and misinformation[2][4].
🔄 Updated: 11/24/2025, 12:00:21 AM
X has begun a global rollout of its "About this account" feature, displaying users' country or region, join date, username changes, and app connection details—aiming to combat misinformation and bot activity. The feature, now visible on profiles worldwide, has drawn mixed reactions: while some users in the U.S. and Europe appreciate the transparency, others in regions with strict internet laws have raised privacy concerns, with X allowing users to choose between showing country or broader region. According to TechCrunch, over 1.7 million bot accounts were removed last week as part of the platform’s broader crackdown, underscoring the feature’s role in X’s international trust and safety strategy.