Elon Musk’s social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has rolled out a new transparency feature that displays crucial information about user accounts, including their original location and app download source. The feature quickly exposed a long-running profile named “American,” which was allegedly being operated from Pakistan, leading to its swift suspension.
The Exposure and Suspension
The revelation, which shook many users, occurred on November 23 when a screenshot of the account’s profile details was shared online:
- Location Mismatch: The data, made visible by the new feature, showed that the profile, despite being labeled “American,” was connected via the “Pakistan App Store” and was clearly “Based in Pakistan.”
- Account History: The screenshot also highlighted that the account was an old one, started in March 2007, and its username had been changed once in 2018.
- Consequence: A follow-up post by the tech blogger who shared the initial screenshot confirmed that the account has since been suspended from the platform.
Wider Ramifications Across X
The new location transparency feature has had a far-reaching impact beyond a single account. It has revealed a pattern where dozens of high-engagement, politically vocal accounts—including those pushing narratives in both pro-Trump (MAGA) and anti-Trump (Democrat) circles—are actually based outside the USA, operating from locations such as Pakistan, Russia, Nigeria, and Eastern Europe.
The platform’s aim with this feature is to improve “the integrity of the global town square” by allowing users to verify the authenticity of the content and the accounts posting it.
How the Transparency Tool Works
Nikita Bier, X’s Head of Product, clarified how users can access the new information:
- The feature is part of a panel called “About This Account.”
- It is accessible by simply tapping the signup date on a user’s profile.
- The panel provides the joining date, primary location, username change history, and the source of the app (e.g., “Pakistan App Store”).
Bier emphasized that this is a critical step in providing context, noting that if an account claims a US location but shows activity from abroad, users have grounds to doubt its intentions.
Social Media Reactions
The exposure of the “American” account sparked a variety of reactions online:
- Some users expressed shock and frustration over the years of potential deception: “Well, that’s interesting.”
- Others noted the long-term commitment of the foreign actor: “Date joined, March 2007. That man is a citizen by now.”
- A few questioned the direct cause for the suspension, asking: “Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad, but why are they getting suspended? What rules did they actually violate?”
The new feature is clearly shaking up the platform by lifting the curtain on potentially fabricated online identities.