X’s New Location Disclosure Policy: What It Means for User Safety

Published: 26 November 2025 Wednesday. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter and owned by Elon Musk, has introduced a new “transparency feature” aimed at providing users with more information about the accounts they interact with. The feature, announced by Nikita Bier, head of product at X, has sparked discussion and concern about its implications for user privacy and safety.

The announcement, made on November 22, detailed that the feature, called “About This Account,” would now display information about where accounts are based. Previously, the page only showed the date the account was created, but the new rollout provides a more comprehensive set of data points, which Bier stated would help users identify potential bots or misinformation sources.

“In a couple of hours, we’ll be rolling out About This Account globally, allowing you to see the country or region where an account is based. This will be accessible by tapping the signup date on profiles,” Bier said in her post. The update is now live globally, giving users a window into the geographic origins and history of the accounts they follow or interact with.

The expanded “About This Account” page now includes the country in which the account holder is based, the date the account was created, the number of times the username has been changed along with the dates of those changes, and the country of origin at the time of account creation. In addition, it indicates whether the account was created via an Android device or iOS App Store and specifies the country associated with that installation.

X’s stated goal behind the new transparency feature is to increase accountability and combat misinformation. By providing users with clearer context about where accounts originate, the platform aims to reduce the spread of misleading or automated content. This is particularly relevant as X continues to position itself as a space for open discussion, while facing ongoing scrutiny over the prevalence of bot accounts and coordinated misinformation campaigns.

However, the feature has also raised concerns among some users about privacy and personal safety. While the platform insists that it is disclosing general country-level information rather than precise locations, critics argue that even such data could potentially expose users to risks, especially those in sensitive professions, activists, or individuals in countries with strict online regulations. Privacy advocates have emphasized the importance of offering users clear opt-out options or privacy controls to protect against potential harassment or targeted attacks.

The timing of the feature’s release is notable, as it comes amid increasing global scrutiny of social media platforms and their handling of user data. Platforms like X are under pressure to balance transparency with user safety, ensuring that measures intended to curb misinformation do not inadvertently compromise personal security.

Experts suggest that while the new transparency measures could help users identify suspicious accounts, it is equally important for X to provide clear guidelines on how the information can be used safely. Educating users about responsible interaction and maintaining anonymity where needed will be critical to minimizing potential misuse.

In response to initial feedback, X has indicated that the rollout may be refined based on user experience and security concerns. The company has reiterated that the feature is meant to improve the trustworthiness of accounts without exposing users to unnecessary risk.

As social media continues to evolve, features like X’s “About This Account” highlight the ongoing tension between transparency, accountability, and privacy. For users, understanding the implications of these changes will be essential in navigating the platform safely and effectively. The global rollout of this feature may set a precedent for other social media platforms considering similar transparency policies in the future.

Ultimately, X’s new location disclosure policy represents a significant step in the platform’s efforts to address misinformation and increase accountability. While the feature has potential benefits for user verification and content reliability, it also underscores the need for careful consideration of privacy and safety implications in an increasingly interconnected digital world.