Platform X, previously known as Twitter, has started showing on a limited basis which countries its users are based in. The feature went live on Friday and is expected to help users identify accounts that may be involved in foreign interference or spreading propaganda.
The update was not visible to all users on Friday. However, some users could visit an account’s bio and select the date it had joined the platform to view the country where the account was based.
Nikita Bier, the head of product at Platform X, said on 14 October that the aim of the feature was to help users verify content. He posted, “When you read content on X, you should be able to verify its authenticity. This is critical to getting a pulse on important issues happening in the world. As part of that, we are experimenting with displaying new information on profiles, including which country an account is based, among other details. Starting next week, we will surface this on a handful of profiles of X team members to get feedback.”
Some users were able to see additional details about accounts, including when the account was created, its verification status, the number of username changes, and the country linked to its app store.
Supporters of the update said that displaying the country of origin would help identify accounts that spread misinformation, interfere in foreign affairs, or impersonate individuals from other regions. They believe the feature will make it harder for such accounts to operate anonymously.
Critics raised concerns about privacy. They argued that some users may prefer not to reveal their country of residence. In response, Platform X offered an option for users to show only their continent or broader geographical region instead of their specific country.
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