Hyderabad — Social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, is rolling out a new transparency feature that will display detailed information about user accounts. The update is expected to significantly impact how users view political messaging and online campaigns, particularly in India.
The new feature comes as part of X’s ongoing efforts to address concerns about fake accounts, bot networks, and undisclosed groups that promote agenda-driven content across the platform.
The updated “About This Account” section will show several key details to users. These include the country where the account is based, how the account was registered through App Store, Google Play, or Web, and the date when the account was created.
Users will also be able to see how many times the account username has been changed. Additionally, the feature will indicate whether the user appears to be using a VPN or routing their internet traffic through another region.
According to X, a limited pilot program has already begun among internal employees and select public profiles. A full roll-out is planned for the coming months.
India, with its large and active digital political ecosystem, is expected to be significantly affected by these changes. Digital watch groups and analysts suggest the update may reveal political IT-cells operating from one region while claiming to be based elsewhere.
The feature could also expose accounts that amplify divisive messages or political propaganda while concealing their true origins. Cross-border networks posing as local voices may also become more visible to users.
Social media commentators in India have noted that users can now tap an information icon on any profile to verify whether the person is actually based in India or posting from another location.
In recent years, several Indian political campaigns, especially during elections, have faced scrutiny for coordinated activity across multiple accounts that lacked clear attribution.
However, some users have raised concerns about the new feature. Many point out that VPNs and proxy servers can easily mask actual locations. Others worry that displaying country-of-origin information might lead to regional bias or discourage legitimate voices from the diaspora.
The feature remains in test mode, and X has not yet clarified how the data will be verified or what appeals process exists for incorrect information.
Digital campaign teams may respond by using more local registration methods and masking their operations behind domestic IP addresses. Indian election regulatory bodies and digital rights groups may also use this metadata for investigations.
