The social media platform X (formerly Twitter) is reportedly planning to roll out a new feature aimed at increasing account transparency by flagging users who obscure their true location using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
The new feature is expected to display a warning message on a user's profile, such as "Country/region may not be accurate," if the platform detects the use of a VPN or proxy service. This indicator will be accessible through a new "About this profile" section.
This move is largely viewed as part of X's broader strategy to combat bot accounts, foreign influence operations, and coordinated manipulation efforts on the platform. By providing context about a user's potential actual location, X aims to help users better interpret and contextualize comments, especially those concerning foreign politics or divisive issues.
However, the reported change has drawn immediate criticism from privacy advocates. Organizations argue that VPNs are essential tools used by activists, journalists, and individuals in repressive regimes to protect their safety and privacy, warning that the new indicator could potentially expose them.
While users will not be banned for using a VPN, the new feature signals X's commitment to prioritizing location transparency on the platform.
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