Your online privacy might soon be at risk, and it’s all because of a new feature from social media giant X. Imagine scrolling through someone’s profile and instantly knowing they’ve used a VPN—sounds intrusive, right? Well, that’s exactly what X is considering, and it’s sparking a heated debate. But here’s where it gets controversial: while the platform claims it’s a tool to combat trolls, critics argue it could jeopardize user safety, especially for those in high-risk regions.
Back in October, X’s Head of Product, Mikita Bier, teased new profile features aimed at transparency. Among them? Displaying the country an account is based in. At the time, it wasn’t clear how this would work, but a recent discovery in the app’s code sheds light on the plan. As spotted by an analyst at MacRumors, the code now includes a disclaimer that reads, ‘One of our partners has indicated that you may be connecting via a proxy—such as a VPN—which may change the country or region displayed on your profile.’ This means if you’ve ever used a VPN, other users might see a note suggesting as much when viewing your profile’s ‘About this account’ section.
And this is the part most people miss: the code also includes a public disclaimer stating, ‘Country or region may not be accurate.’ While X hasn’t confirmed how this will roll out, Bier’s earlier comments hint at its public visibility. He mentioned privacy toggles but added, ‘If a user configures them, that will likely be highlighted on their profile.’ So, even if you opt for privacy, your choice might still be flagged.
But here’s the kicker: this feature isn’t just about location. Bier’s announcement also included tools like tracking how many times you’ve changed your username and when you joined X. It’s a lot of data being exposed, and not everyone is on board.
Is this a step toward accountability or a dangerous overreach? NordVPN’s CTO, Marijus Briedis, warns that flagging VPN users could unfairly target journalists, activists, or those in high-risk countries, labeling them as ‘suspicious’ simply for prioritizing privacy. Proton VPN’s General Manager, David Peterson, adds that relying on app-store regions could lead to users being subjected to the wrong rules or locked out of content they should have access to.
So, what do you think? Is X’s move a necessary measure to curb trolling, or does it cross the line into privacy invasion? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate you won’t want to miss!
