X introduces transparency tool to curb bots and impersonation

Imagine opening an X profile and, with a single tap, seeing when the account was created, how many times the username has changed, where the user is based, and how they access the platform.

That is now a reality as X, formerly Twitter, begins rolling out its new transparency tool, “About This Account”, to users worldwide.

The feature, currently appearing gradually across select profiles, is designed to give people more context about who they are interacting with online.

According to early access users, the prompt appears when tapping the “Joined” date on a profile, revealing metadata that until now was hidden behind internal records.

Among the details now visible are the account creation date, username change history, the region or country from which the account operates, and whether the user signed up via the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or a web browser.

Some users have also reported seeing an indicator when an account connects through a VPN, an unreleased capability that X has hinted may become more prominent in future updates.

X says the rollout is part of a broader strategy to curb impersonation, automated bots, and coordinated misinformation, issues that have long plagued the platform, particularly during elections and global events.

The company’s leadership argues that greater transparency will help users distinguish credible accounts from suspicious or newly formed profiles designed to manipulate conversations.

For journalists, researchers, and digital investigators, the feature could serve as a valuable signal when assessing the legitimacy of information sources.

Critics, however, are raising concerns about privacy and potential misuse. Users in politically sensitive regions fear that exposing location, even at a regional level, could lead to digital profiling or offline risks.

Others worry that displaying VPN usage may stigmatise those who rely on digital protection tools for safety, including activists and individuals living under restrictive governance.

For now, the rollout remains partial.

Many users can currently only view the feature on their own profiles, suggesting a phased introduction that allows people to review and adjust visibility settings before the information becomes public-facing. The final stage is expected to make the feature available across all profiles globally.

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