Name: What Xs new location tool reveals, and what it doesnt
Uploaded: 2025-12-01T16:47:35.359Z
Duration: 1 min 48 s
Description: A new X tool showing users’ locations is exposing inconsistencies among large Russian and anti- EU accounts, but researchers warn the data is not fully reliable.

A new X tool showing users’ locations is exposing inconsistencies among large Russian and anti- EU accounts, but researchers warn the data is not fully reliable.

San Francisco

X has introduced a new transparency feature on user profiles that displays the location where the app was downloaded, the join date, and the user's current location. However, several accounts, including those claiming to be in Russia or Europe, have been shown by the tool as being based in other countries such as Ireland or the UAE, leading to concerns about potential misinformation.

Experts note that these discrepancies do not necessarily indicate deliberate deception, as factors like VPN usage, travel, or temporary relocation can affect the displayed location. X has acknowledged that the feature is not always accurate, and even Euronews experienced its account being incorrectly listed in the United States before reverting to France.

What X's new location tool reveals, and what it doesn't

How X's new location feature is fueling misinformation. X recently rolled out its new transparency feature on every profile, showing data such as where the app was downloaded, when the user joined and, crucially, their location. But some of these locations don't appear to match up, fueling concerns of misinformation. For example, this account, which claims to be a war correspondent, regularly posts videos of herself in Russian cities or in the occupied Donbass. But X's new tour places her not in Russia, but in Ireland. She's not the only one, though several other Russian-language accounts with thousands of followers show the same location. The feature also reveals inconsistencies in large, anonymous pages. Russian News, with over 225,000 followers and a stated location in St. Petersburg, appears to be operating from the UAE. But it's not just Russia-related accounts. Several profiles posting anti-migrant or anti-EU content, which claim to be European, are flagged as being based outside Europe. But experts warn that discrepancies don't necessarily mean accounts are deliberately hiding their true locations. Whilst an account could be part of a coordinated campaign, it could also be looking to boost followers. A number of these accounts also have blue ticks, meaning that they may be able to monetize high-engagement posts depending on how much engagement they get. On the other side, an account could be relying on a VPN, which could reroute it through locations such as Ireland or the UAE. X itself says the feature isn't always accurate and may reflect travel or temporary relocation. And even Euronews has seen inaccuracies. Our own X account was briefly listed as being in the United States before shifting back to France.

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