X Tests New “About This Account” Feature to Curb Fake Profiles and Inauthentic Activity

Highlights

• X tests ‘About This Account’ that will show account creation date, location, username history, and platform linkage to help users spot fake or suspicious profiles.
• It is currently limited to select X team profiles, the feature is being tested with feedback in mind.
• X is also re-evaluating its algorithm’s link penalty, which currently reduces the reach of posts containing external URLs.

Caption – (Photo by Dima Solomin on Unsplash)

X (formerly Twitter) is experimenting with a new transparency feature aimed at combating fake accounts, bots and inauthentic engagement on its platform. The company has long struggled with spam and deceptive behaviour. However, these issues have only worsened since the introduction of paid verification, which boosts the visibility of paying users.

New ‘About This Account’ Feature on X

Caption – X is testing a “About This Account” feature. (Image credit – @nikitabier on X)

X has begun testing a new “About This Account” feature. This addition will display key details about a profile including when the account was created, the user’s location, how many times the username has been changed, and how the account is linked to X.

The idea is to make it easier for users to assess the authenticity of profiles and identify suspicious activity.

The feature functions similarly to Facebook’s “Page Transparency” section, which offers insights into when a page was established and where its administrators are based.

Announcing this in a post, X’s Head of Product Nikita Bier wrote, “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’re experimenting with displaying new information on profiles, including which country an account is based, among other details.”

If rolled out widely, this tool could help users detect common scams on X. For instance, scammers often hijack and rename compromised accounts to trick existing followers. Knowing when a username was last changed or where an account is located could make it easier for users to spot such deceptive behaviour.

Rollout

However, the feature is still in its early testing phase. Bier confirmed that the information will initially appear only on “a handful of profiles of X team members”, most of whom already carry an official “X” badge, so that the company can collect feedback before a broader rollout.

Meanwhile, some users have already expressed concerns about privacy, particularly regarding the display of location information. Bier, while replying to a comment, has stated that it is exploring options to address those worries while maintaining transparency for account verification.

In addition to this test, X is reviewing how it handles posts containing links. According to the platform’s open-source algorithm code, posts with links currently face a significant reach penalty, as X aims to keep users within the app rather than redirecting them elsewhere. However, this strategy has not yielded the desired results, prompting the company to reconsider and potentially revise this policy.

FAQs

Q1. What is the “About This Account” feature on X?

Answer. It’s a transparency tool being tested by X (formerly Twitter) that displays key profile details such as account creation date, location, username history, and platform linkage. It will o help users assess authenticity and spot suspicious behaviour.

Q2. Why is X introducing “About This Account” feature now?

Answer. X aims to combat fake profiles, bots, and deceptive engagement, especially after paid verification increased visibility for potentially inauthentic accounts. This feature helps users verify content sources more easily.

Q3. Will the “About This Account” feature on X be available to all users?

Answer. Not yet. It’s currently in early testing and visible only on select X team member profiles. The company is collecting feedback before a broader rollout and is also exploring privacy safeguards around location visibility.

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