Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, has been rocked by controversy after introducing a new feature that reveals an account’s location. The feature, designed to boost transparency, has exposed numerous accounts operating from unexpected locations, including Nigeria, Bangladesh, and Eastern Europe, which were previously posing as US-based users. Many of these accounts were promoting pro-Trump content and spreading misinformation, with some even using Islamophobic and anti-immigration rhetoric.
The backlash was swift, with users criticizing the feature for potentially exposing dissidents and protesters in autocratic states. However, X’s head of product, Nikita Bier, assured that the feature includes privacy toggles for users in countries with restricted speech, revealing only the region. The feature has also raised concerns about accuracy, as location data can be impacted by travel, VPNs, or temporary relocation.
Despite these concerns, the feature has shed light on the prevalence of global troll farms and influence operations on social media platforms. Researchers have long warned about the presence of fake accounts, and this feature has vindicated those concerns. The move is seen as a step towards increasing transparency, but it also raises questions about the effectiveness of such measures in combating disinformation.
