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Elon Musk’s new update to X is beginning to reshape how user profiles present identity and activity on the platform. The latest update adds a more detailed “About this account” section that shows where an account is based. The X new update also includes how many times the username has changed (if at all), when the account first joined the platform, and how the user originally downloaded the app.
In addition, the goal is to curb misleading behaviour and limit the influence of bots posing as real users. In the same spirit, the growing challenges posed by automated accounts make this new X update a strategic attempt to restore trust and make interactions on the platform more transparent.
TechPolyp observes that initial hints about this feature surfaced in October. This was when Nikita Bier, X’s head of product, mentioned that the platform would experiment with exposing deeper profile details. Subsequently, trials began with his own profile and with accounts belonging to X employees.
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The logic behind the X new update is to empower users to judge authenticity by providing clearer information. If a profile claims to be from a specific location but shows a conflicting base country, that inconsistency is a red flag. This transparency discourages accounts created for manipulation or misinformation, particularly those that hide behind ambiguous identities.
How to Access the “About This Account” Feature
Activity picked up after a user publicly urged Elon Musk to make location disclosure mandatory. Bier responded with a playful “Give me 72 hours,” hinting that the feature was already in motion. In the days that followed, more users reported seeing the “About this account” option on their profiles.
To access this X new update, users should tap the “Joined” date on their profile. A dedicated page then shows the original join date, base location, total username changes and the date of the most recent change, as well as the source from which the app was downloaded, whether the Apple App Store, Google Play, or another route. This makes it easier for users to understand the authenticity of accounts they interact with.
Despite the expanding visibility, some users and reporters still cannot view these details on other people’s profiles. This staggered rollout allows individuals to review their displayed information, confirm accuracy, and adjust privacy preferences before broader implementation. Within the settings, users can choose whether their profile displays their country specifically or a wider region.
While initially offered for users in the sensitive areas, this flexibility of this X new update is now available to all, including U.S. users. Country remains the default, but users can switch to a regional or continental display through the “Privacy and Safety” menu, making the X’s new update more adaptable to individual needs.
X New Update: Enhancing Transparency and Future Features
Further discoveries suggest that X is testing another layer of transparency. A reverse engineer examining the app code found traces of a feature that would display a warning if an account uses a VPN to mask its actual location. If activated, this addition would alert others that the listed country or region may not be accurate. This potential expansion shows how the X new update could extend beyond basic account details, adding another safeguard against inauthentic activity and making the platform safer for users.
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Furthermore, X has not provided official comments on the rollout, but Bier hinted that the expansion is intentional. This feature aligns with a broader trend among social networks. Instagram has offered a similar “About this account” feature for high-reach profiles, displaying information to help users verify authenticity.
For X, the timing is crucial as it concerns impersonation, coordinated influence campaigns, and automated accounts are rising. Upon introducing these detailed account insights, this X new update is going to users to make informed decisions and interact with more reliable accounts.
Moving forward, the new X update signals a significant step toward a more transparent social media space. Accordingly, this identity bow allows users to engage more confidently, believing that the platform is prioritising authenticity and accountability.
