Behind the scenes, X has already started rolling out a potentially concerning new feature to make these profiles even less transparent. This new feature, called “About this account,” offers users critical context about the activity and origin of an account. The addition of this feature is an encouraging sign as X continues opening new paths to build trust with its user base.
The new “About this account” feature displays a few important pieces of information for every user profile. This sometimes reveals their political biases. It reveals the geographic location of the account. It shows the date of original creation and tracks when/if the username has since been changed. Furthermore, it exposes which method the user first downloaded the X app from. This robust data educates users about who they’re connecting with on the platform. It provides great advice for an even better experience.
The campaign gained significant traction after popular X owner Nikita Bier responded to a user’s suggestion directed at Elon Musk. His answer was the catalyst for a serious groundswell of support and excitement. They have suggested that accounts be mandated to show their location data. In his response, Bier noted that accomplishing the functionality he was requesting would take 72 hours. Since our last response, a greater number of users began to see the “About this account” tab featured prominently on their profiles. This trend is mushrooming!
Elon Musk’s X is rolling this out to shore up whatever little trust their users still have. This is a step we wholeheartedly support, especially with the industry’s increasing commitment to transparency. Users will intuitively find the new functionality by navigating to the “Privacy and Safety” settings located in the X app. There, they’ll find the “About your account” section.
As X continues developing this new feature, we hope to learn more. It will notify users when an account indicates it is using a virtual private network (VPN) to mask its original location. We know that X is committed to improving user safety and accountability. More concretely, as a part of this effort, they will add this warning to the “About Your Account” tool.
X is not the first organization to embrace transparency like this. Instagram has been one step ahead with its “About this account” tool, allowing users to see important context about the accounts they follow. By embracing these practices, X wants to create a more trustworthy space for its users.
The plans for this feature were first announced by Nikita Bier in October, signaling a proactive approach by X’s leadership to address user concerns regarding online interactions. As more people come to understand these insights, we’ll be able to see the difference transparency can make in engagement. What it means for users’ trust in the platform remains to be seen.