X, formerly known as Twitter, has started testing a feature that will let you see which country a particular user account is associated with. The aim of the development is to increase and support the transparency of the platform so that users can more easily assess the origin of the content. Although the feature is currently only available in a limited circle, it is already causing serious reactions.
Strengthening credibility and clarifying the origin of information
In the future, X will allow anyone to check in which country a particular account is active. To do this, click on the registration date in the user profile, where the new information panel will display more details. The time the account was created, the application store from which the registration was made, the verified status and the number of username changes will be visible. Previously, this data was not published in such a uniform and detailed form.
A Hungarian X-profile after the changes – Source: X
According to Nikita Bier, head of product development at X The purpose of the feature is to make it easier for users to assess how authentic the information distributed on the platform is. In order to correctly interpret world events, he says, it is important to see exactly in which country an account is active. The first wave of testing will involve the profiles of X’s own employees, so the company can collect real user feedback on how well the innovation helps filter out misleading or artificial content.
Supporters of the feature believe that indicating the country associated with the account makes it more difficult for manipulations from abroad and attempts to influence politics. Several users have complained for years that accounts operating from certain regions try to influence public opinion in other countries by disguising themselves as local users. For them, the new solution can create a clearer situation that helps identify suspicious activity.
User concerns are increasing and some say privacy is at risk
At the same time, the development is causing resentment among many. Several users fear that disclosing the country associated with the account could easily lead to harassment and regional discrimination. According to critics, this is a big step back from the fact that the platform previously offered greater anonymity, which for many was a basic requirement for free expression.
Another concern relates to the political climate. In countries where online activities are under strict state control, disclosing geolocation can pose a serious risk. Authorities can more easily identify those posting about sensitive or government-critical topics. According to some, the position could even become a means to restrict freedom of expression.
Several people also warn that displaying the country assigned to the account could create new opportunities for abuse. During political debates, users can more easily stigmatize each other, which can further increase polarization within the platform. While X is intended to increase authenticity, opponents say that in practice the feature may not actually improve the user experience.
The platform’s performance is deteriorating, Musk’s ‘Everything App’ plan is becoming increasingly uncertain
According to studies from the Pew Research Center, X’s user base is essentially stagnant. In the United States there is only a slight decline, but the detailed data shows much clearer changes. The trend is especially visible among young adults: the share of active users fell from 42% to 32%.
According to another study, the platform is losing around 10% of its users every year, while TikTok and Instagram continue to grow their own bases. These trends cast doubt on Elon Musk’s ambitious goal to make X a comprehensive, universal app. However, the platform still suffers from frequent technical issues, making it difficult to translate the vision into a real product.
In addition to X’s recent developments and regulatory actions, it was recently revealed that some banned users attempted to bribe platform staff to regain access, highlighting the serious, ongoing challenges of operating and monitoring the platform.
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