X Tests New Profile Transparency Tool to Combat Scams and Bots The social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, has long struggled with fake accounts, bots, and various scams. These issues have become more pronounced since the introduction of paid verification, a system that increases the visibility of any user who pays for a subscription. In a move to address this, the company is now experimenting with a new feature designed to help users spot potentially suspicious accounts. This new tool is called about this account. It will display key details about a profile, including the date the account joined the platform, the country location of the person operating it, the number of times the account username has been changed, and how the account is connected to X. This concept is similar to the page transparency feature on Facebook, which offers comparable information about page creation dates and administrator locations. Nikita Bier, the head of product at X, explained the reasoning behind the change in a post. He stated that when users read content on X, they should be able to verify its authenticity, calling this critical for understanding important global issues. If widely released, this feature could be a significant step in helping users identify common deceptive practices on the platform. For instance, scammers often take over existing accounts and then change the username to mislead the account’s original followers. Seeing a recent username change could serve as a red flag. Likewise, having access to an account’s stated location could help users identify individuals who are misrepresenting their identity or origin. However, it may be some time before the feature is available to the general public in a meaningful way. Bier noted that the initial test will be very limited. The about this account information will only be visible on a small number of profiles belonging to X team members. These individuals typically already have an official X badge on their profiles. This small-scale rollout is intended to gather user feedback on the new feature before a broader implementation is considered.
