Recently, X introduced a new feature called “About This Account,” which provides information regarding the country where an account was created and the country it is said to be “based” in. Nikita Bier, the head of product at X, acknowledged that there are some “rough edges” in the feature but assured users that these issues would be addressed by Tuesday.
In response, users on X have expressed a range of reactions, with many pointing out flaws in the data. Some individuals accused accounts they disagree with of being “foreign operatives,” despite acknowledging inaccuracies in their own profiles. This led to ongoing discussions where users continued to make claims about political opponents allegedly engaging in foreign influence, despite issues with the data being recognized.
The inaccuracies in the location data could stem from various factors. For instance, individuals who travel frequently or organizations with geographically diverse staff may appear to be “based” in different locations temporarily. Additionally, the use of VPNs by users might alter their apparent location, while outdated IP addresses could also contribute to inaccuracies. For example, at the time of reporting, Hank Green’s account was listed as being based in Japan, while other accounts showed locations that did not correspond with their actual bases of operations.
While some accounts, particularly those known for promoting political content, may not be based in the U.S., this highlights broader concerns about foreign influence in American politics. Previous investigations have identified foreign troll farms that target U.S. political discourse, suggesting that some content aimed at driving user engagement may be fueled by financial motivations, as heightened political discussions attract more user interactions on platforms like X.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/827279/xs-messy-about-this-account-rollout-has-caused-utter-chaos