X’s new “About this Account” location feature has sparked controversy and exposed the geographic origins of many high-profile US politics accounts, revealing that some of the most influential voices in American political discourse are based far outside the United States[2][1]. This unexpected transparency has ignited debates about authenticity, manipulation, and the future of online political engagement.
**What Is X’s Location Feature?**
In November 2025, X (formerly Twitter) rolled out its “About this Account” info panel across public profiles, making it possible for anyone to see when an account was created, the number of username changes, and—most notably—the inferred location of the account’s operator[1][3]. The goal was to increase transparency and help users identify whether political commentators, activists, or viral meme accounts are actually who (and where) they claim to be[1][2].
**How the Feature Works**
– The location is inferred from aggregated IP addresses and is presented on every public profile under the new “about this account” tab[1][2][3].
– Users can choose to display either a general region or a specific country, but cannot disable the feature entirely[1][3].
– X warns that the location data may be influenced by factors such as recent travel, VPN use, or temporary relocation, and it is not displayed on verified government accounts for security reasons[1][3].
**Big Political Accounts Exposed**
The rollout quickly led to revelations that dozens of high-engagement accounts—some of which have millions of followers and shape US political conversations—are actually operated from outside the US[2][1].
**Examples include:**
– **Pro-Trump account “TRUMP_ARMY_”**: With over 500,000 followers, this account celebrated US Supreme Court rulings and was followed by prominent US politicians. The feature revealed its operator is based in India, and the account has changed usernames four times since 2022[2].
– **“IvankaNews_” fan account**: With more than a million followers, this account claimed to support Trump from within the US but was shown to be operated from Nigeria. The account had changed usernames eleven times since 2010 and was later suspended by X[2][6].
– **Anti-Trump “proud Democrat” account**: An account with over 52,000 followers, self-described as a “professional Maga hunter,” was found to be based in Kenya. After its location was revealed, the account’s operator deleted their profile[2].
Both pro- and anti-Trump accounts were exposed as being run from abroad, demonstrating the feature’s broad impact on all sides of the political spectrum[2].
**Why Does This Matter?**
– **Public Trust and Manipulation:** These revelations highlight the potential for foreign actors to influence US political conversations, sometimes for financial gain. Accounts can earn money from X by accumulating engagement, incentivizing operators—regardless of location—to fan the flames of America’s culture wars[2].
– **Transparency vs. Privacy:** While the feature is designed to help users assess the credibility of political commentary, it also raises concerns about privacy and the potential for misattribution, particularly when VPNs or shared devices are involved[1][3].
– **Limits and Accuracy:** X claims the data is “99% accurate,” but admits that inaccuracies can occur, especially for older accounts or those using VPNs[2][1]. X’s Head of Product, Nikita Bier, acknowledged that not all displayed locations are correct and that technical fixes are ongoing[1][2].
**Expert and User Reactions**
– **Skepticism about Verification:** Some experts, such as Alexios Mantzarlis from Cornell Tech, argue that X’s paid verification system (“blue tick” accounts) is not a serious effort at verification and that the platform’s revenue model encourages inauthentic behavior[2].
– **Financial Motivation:** There is consensus that both individual users and organized groups—possibly including state actors—exploit X’s algorithms and monetization features for profit and political influence[2].
– **Workarounds and Evasion:** Despite the new feature, experts caution that motivated users will likely find ways to mask their true locations, for example, by using VPNs or falsifying profile information[2][1][3].
**How to Check an Account’s Location**
To view an account’s location:
– Visit any public profile and click the “about this account” tab[1][3].
– Users can select what level of location detail to display (region or country) in their privacy and safety settings[1][3].
– X is reportedly developing a future update that would warn users if a profile’s location appears to be masked by a VPN[3].
**Implications for Political Discourse**
The exposure of foreign-run political accounts has intensified scrutiny of X’s role in shaping public opinion, especially in an election year. While the new feature is lauded for promoting transparency, its imperfect rollout and the nuances of digital identity mean that both users and observers should treat location data as one signal among many when evaluating political content[1][2][3].
As X refines the feature and users adapt, the broader lesson is clear: in the age of global social media, the origin of a message is as important as its content. The platform’s latest attempt at transparency has laid bare the complex, sometimes murky, reality behind some of the loudest voices in US political life.
Original source: BBC News – How X’s new location feature exposed big US politics accounts