Hannah Carter
X quietly rolls out About this account transparency panel with location controls and VPN flags
X has begun rolling out an About this account panel on profiles that shows where an account is based, its username change history, when it joined, and how the app was first downloaded. Users can dial back how precise their visible location is, and X is testing gentle warnings when a profile appears to use a VPN or proxy.
The feature started appearing in waves in November 2025 on profiles from X staffers before reaching more users, according to public posts and early coverage on
TechCrunch. Nikita Bier, X’s head of product, framed the goal simply in a briefing shared publicly, saying the company wants people to make better judgments about who they are talking to by surfacing basic provenance data on the profile itself.
What does About this account show on X
X’s help center explains the panel in straightforward terms. Tap or click the Joined date on a profile and you will see four signals that help you size up the account at a glance. You can read X’s description on its
account transparency help page.
- Base location that lists the country or a broader region set for the account
- Username changes including how many times the handle changed and the most recent change
- Original join date for when the account was created on Twitter or X
- Download method such as Connected via United States App Store or Google Play
X calls this real time account context and says it is moving these details into profiles rather than leaving them buried in settings. More background appears in the company’s
account transparency updates.
How do you open the About this account panel
- Go to any profile on X, including your own.
- Tap or click the Joined date under the bio.
- About this account will open with location, history and download source.
Can you control how your location appears
Yes. X says people in sensitive regions can choose to display a broader region or continent instead of a specific country. The toggle appears under Privacy and safety in About your account settings. It is already showing up for many users in the United States and Europe too.
If you want protection beyond what an in app toggle provides, independent identity and threat monitoring tools can help you watch for account takeovers and leaked credentials. For instance,
Aura monitors for phishing, credential exposure and suspicious changes that social platforms may not catch.
Is X warning about VPNs and proxies
X is testing an extra signal that appears near the country label when a connection looks like it is coming through a VPN or proxy. Reverse engineer
@aaronp613 surfaced strings that note a partner has indicated a proxy or VPN connection, which means the listed country or region may not be accurate. The feature does not block VPNs. It adds context so people can weigh authenticity.
That approach is already sparking debate. Privacy advocates point out that journalists, activists and vulnerable users often rely on VPNs for safety. On the other hand, transparency researchers say visible signals make it easier to spot coordinated manipulation.
Why this matters for authenticity on X
The move fits a broader push at X to make inauthentic behavior easier to spot. Public signals like location, join date and username history can highlight inconsistencies. If a profile claims to be a local voice in a US state yet shows a base location overseas, that is a cue to take a closer look.
This shift also plugs into a wider conversation about synthetic content and identity online. We have reported on the way feeds can feel less human in
whether social media feeds are losing their human touch in 2025
and how
deepfake scams and AI powered impersonators are hijacking trust.
About this account is one more signal to help people decide what, and who, to trust.
How does X compare with rivals
Instagram has offered an About this account section for years that lists prior usernames, country and ads activity for high reach profiles. X is trying to push the idea further by combining several signals and applying them more broadly so that everyday users, not just major creators, get the same context.
The company’s stance is summed up by Elon Musk’s recurring message that transparency is the best defense against manipulative accounts. Whether this new panel raises the bar for trust across social platforms is the next big question.
Quick steps to change your visible location precision on X
- Open X and go to your profile.
- Tap Settings and privacy.
- Select Privacy and safety, then About your account.
- Choose what shows on your profile. Pick Country or switch to Region or Continent.
- Save your choice and check your profile’s Joined date panel to confirm.
FAQ
- What is About this account on X
- It is a profile panel that shows base location, username change history, join date and where the app was first downloaded. It is designed to give quick context about who you are interacting with.
- How do I open the About this account panel
- Visit any profile and tap the Joined date under the bio. The panel will appear with the available signals.
- Can I hide my exact country
- You can reduce precision. X allows you to show a broader region or continent instead of a specific country through Privacy and safety settings.
- Will X block VPNs
- No. X is testing a visible notice that a connection may be through a VPN or proxy. It does not block usage. It adds one more data point for context.
- Is the feature live for everyone
- Rollout began in waves in November 2025. Availability can vary by region and account, and it may appear gradually.
