X launches “About This Account” feature to spot fake profiles easily

Social media platform X has started rolling out a new feature called "About This Account" to help users verify the authenticity of profiles. This feature shows key details like the account's location, creation date, and how often the username has been changed. The aim is to help people spot fake or misleading accounts, especially with the rise of bots and AI-driven profiles online.

The rollout began after months of internal discussions at X. Initially, the feature was only available on the profiles of X employees and the company’s head of product, Nikita Bier. Now, it is expanding to a wider audience.

Users can access this feature by clicking on the "Joined" date on any X profile. This opens a new page displaying important information such as:

• When the account was created

• The location linked to the account

• The number of times the username has been changed and when the last change happened

• How the user accesses X (for example, through Google Play or the App Store)

This transparency helps users make informed decisions about whether an account is genuine. For instance, if a profile is actively discussing local topics but shows a recent creation date and a location far away, it might be a coordinated or fake account.

However, after the feature was released, some users reported inaccuracies. Some profiles showed the wrong country of origin or incorrect account creation locations. One user noted their profile said they were from the United States, though they live in Canada. The company responded quickly, identifying problems related to VPN usage or internet providers like Starlink affecting the data.

Due to these issues, the feature was temporarily removed for some users but has since been restored. X is working on fixing these errors and adding new indicators to explain location data affected by VPNs.

This new feature by X is part of a broader push for transparency on social media. Similar tools already exist on other platforms like Instagram, which shows profile details to help users recognize authentic accounts.

Overall, the "About This Account" feature aims to reduce misinformation and increase trust on the platform by giving users clear, easy-to-find information about who they are interacting with online.