A location feature exposes unexpected account origins
X’s new location tool exposes major political accounts and sparks intense discussion. The platform now displays where users access the service and reveals surprising origins. Many high-engagement profiles posted about US politics while operating from abroad. Users quickly highlighted several pro-Trump accounts active outside the United States. Some anti-Trump accounts also used misleading locations. Their posts generated millions of impressions, which can unlock payments from X.
X claims strong accuracy despite VPN concerns
The new “about this account” tab appears on every profile and shows location data. The tab warns that travel, temporary moves and VPN use can affect accuracy. X’s product chief Nikita Bier says the information remains 99% reliable. The debate intensified when Trump shared a screenshot from an account called “TRUMP_ARMY_”. The profile praised a Supreme Court ruling that would help him deport criminals to El Salvador. The account has more than half a million followers, including a senior Republican senator. X’s data shows the profile operates from India and changed its username four times since March 2022. The most recent change happened in July 2022. The page now says the user is “an Indian who loves America, President Trump, Musk!”.
Another profile called “IvankaNews_” promotes Trump’s daughter and has more than one million followers. It previously urged users to vote for the president last year. X states that the profile operates from Nigeria and changed its username 11 times since 2010. After its location became public, the user said people outside the United States can genuinely support Trump’s movement. X appears to have suspended “IvankaNews_”, although the reason remains unclear.
Misleading locations appear across political lines
A major newsroom’s verification team found anti-Trump accounts with similar patterns. One account had 52,000 followers and described itself as a “proud Democrat” and “professional Maga hunter”. The user deleted the profile after the location tool showed activity from Kenya.
Scottish political discussions affected too
Researchers found several accounts that claimed Scottish roots. These profiles posted almost only in favour of Scottish independence. X’s location tool indicates that these accounts access the service from an Android app in Iran. The tab lists the Netherlands as their main location, but X adds a warning that suggests VPN use.
Money and influence push many accounts to hide origins
Most exposed profiles held blue ticks. This shows they subscribed to X’s Premium tier and could earn money based on engagement. X requires identity checks and at least five million impressions within three months for monetisation access. Experts warn that blue tick accounts worsen issues on the platform. They argue that paid badges act as revenue tools rather than genuine verification. They say community context features offer a better route to transparency.
Researchers say accounts hide their locations for different reasons. Some troll farms and state-run operations try to shape political debate. Others chase profit by pretending to be American. Experts agree that culture-war content often brings quick financial rewards. They also say political groups and state actors repeatedly use fake accounts to spread influence. Despite the new tool, experts believe some users will find ways around detection. They say bad actors will quickly adapt their methods to hide their true origins.
