New X Feature Reveals Account Locations, Sparks Misinformation Debate

Canadian researchers are expressing cautious optimism about a new feature on X, formerly known as Twitter, that reveals the geographic locations of user accounts. Launched on April 9, 2024, the “about this account” tool aims to enhance transparency regarding account origins. While the feature has the potential to expose fraudulent accounts and foreign interference, experts caution that it may not always provide accurate information and could pose risks for certain users.

The launch of this feature comes amid growing concerns over misinformation on social media platforms. Researchers focused on tracking online misinformation have welcomed the initiative, believing it could help identify foreign actors attempting to manipulate Canadian politics. However, they emphasize that users should approach the results with skepticism due to reported glitches.

Location discrepancies have already emerged. Influential accounts linked to the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, for instance, were found to have locations listed in countries such as Eastern Europe, Russia, and Nigeria. This has raised questions about potential foreign influence on domestic political movements in the U.S. Similarly, accounts claiming to represent families in Gaza seeking donations were listed as being based in India.

The situation is not confined to the United States. In Canada, accounts that comment on national politics also displayed mismatched location information. For example, a Conservative-leaning account with over 150,000 followers was reported to be based in Italy, while a smaller account advocating for Alberta sovereignty, with 15,000 followers, was listed as located in Thailand. Neither account has responded to queries regarding these discrepancies.

Both the Liberal Party and the New Democratic Party (NDP) accounts are also affected. The Liberal Party’s social media accounts were listed as being in the United States, prompting a response from party spokesperson Matteo Rossi, who stated that all accounts are managed from Canada. Meanwhile, Lucy Watson, the NDP’s national director, attributed the inaccurate location to the party’s use of a virtual private network (VPN), which can mask an account’s true location.

Concerns regarding the new feature extend beyond misinformation. Experts warn that the exposure of VPN usage could endanger individuals, particularly activists and journalists, who rely on such tools to safeguard their online privacy and security. “VPNs are vital tools,” said Philip Mai, co-director of the Social Media Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University. “Exposing their VPN use could inadvertently put these individuals in danger.”

The methodology behind the location feature has also drawn scrutiny. According to Mai, X uses IP addresses associated with accounts to determine their locations. However, he noted that this method can yield inaccuracies, as IP addresses may reflect past activity rather than current location. He provided an example of his own account being incorrectly listed as located in Germany after he visited the country for research.

Mai highlighted that the introduction of this feature appears to be part of X’s broader strategy to combat foreign interference and misinformation. “This is part of their evolving strategy to combat bot accounts and coordinated manipulation,” he stated. While he believes the tool could be beneficial for researchers, he also warned that users intent on deception will likely find ways to circumvent the new measures.

While the feature is still in its early stages, researchers like Mika Desblancs-Patel, a research engineer with the Media Ecosystem Observatory in Montreal, appreciate the increased transparency. “One of the toughest parts of working in this space is simply data access,” he said. He added that while current inaccuracies exist, the tool may still assist in identifying accounts involved in foreign interference.

Desblancs-Patel advised caution when interpreting location data, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking in evaluating online content. “I would generally urge people to be cautious when drawing conclusions from this location data,” he noted.

As this feature continues to develop, the balance between transparency and user safety remains a pressing concern. The challenges presented by misinformation and foreign interference require ongoing vigilance from both social media platforms and their users.