Platform X has introduced a major new feature that displays the country where each user is based, marking one of the platform’s most sweeping transparency updates in recent years. The label appears beside posts and on profile pages, becoming visible to all users by default. X states that this shift is designed to curb misinformation campaigns and provide greater clarity about the origin of online content.

🔹 X Frames the Change as a Push for Transparency

According to the company, the intention behind showing user locations is to help people distinguish between local opinions and coordinated foreign influence operations. By identifying the country linked to each account, X says it hopes to reduce the spread of misleading narratives often attributed to anonymous or foreign-controlled entities.
However, the platform has not provided a detailed explanation of how country attribution is determined, raising questions about accuracy and verification.

🔹 Privacy Advocates Warn of Increased Risks

Digital rights organisations have criticised the feature, calling it a potential threat to the safety of vulnerable users. Activists, journalists, whistleblowers, and politically sensitive communities could face new risks if their country of origin is exposed.
Advocacy groups argue that users in restrictive nations may face prosecution, harassment, or targeted surveillance, especially if country labels are incorrect or impossible to hide.

🔹 Users Report Limited Options to Disable the Feature

Early reports suggest that users cannot fully remove the country tag from their profiles. While some settings allow limited control, the platform largely retains authority to determine and display the information.
This lack of control has sparked frustration, with users questioning why such a sensitive data point is being publicised without opt-out flexibility.

🔹 Questions Emerge About Accuracy and Data Sources

Experts note that determining a user’s country involves analysing IP addresses, SIM information, login patterns, and historical data.
However, VPN users, travellers, expatriates, and people in border regions fear being inaccurately labelled. Incorrect tags could lead to credibility issues, misidentification, or online conflict.

🔹 Could the Feature Fuel Geopolitical Tensions?

The update arrives at a time when global online discourse is increasingly polarised. Analysts warn that visibly tagging users’ countries could intensify hostility, amplify nationalism, and worsen digital discrimination.
In some cases, it may also enable state-sponsored actors to track or intimidate users across borders.

🔹 X Maintains That Safety Teams Will Monitor Abuse

The platform has asserted that it will monitor misuse and respond to harassment related to country labels. Still, critics say enforcement on X has been inconsistent, raising doubts about the platform’s ability to protect users.

🔹 A Feature With Far-Reaching Implications

As the rollout continues, the debate surrounding transparency versus privacy is likely to intensify. Whether this update improves digital accountability or undermines user safety will depend heavily on how X manages user concerns, accuracy issues, and potential abuse.