In a significant move to increase platform transparency, Elon Musk's X, previously known as Twitter, has begun launching a new feature named "About this account." This initiative, announced on Friday, is a core part of the company's wider strategy to fight misinformation and build user trust by providing more context about who is behind a profile.
What the New Feature Reveals
The freshly introduced "About this account" section is designed to offer users a quick snapshot of a profile's history and authenticity. It displays crucial contextual details that help people make informed decisions about the accounts they interact with.
Key information provided includes the date the account was created, a history of any previous username changes, and its current verification status. Furthermore, the feature will show location data when available and indicate if the profile is officially linked to a government body or a recognized organization.
Gradual Rollout and Future Plans
The deployment of this transparency tool has started with a limited group of users across the globe and will be expanded to everyone on the platform in the coming weeks. The section is conveniently located directly on profile pages, making it easily accessible without needing to navigate away.
X has confirmed that this is just the beginning and that more details and signals are planned for future updates. This development arrives as the platform continues to face intense scrutiny over persistent issues with fake accounts, impersonation, and the spread of false information.
Following a Broader Industry Trend
X's latest feature mirrors similar efforts already implemented by other major social media platforms. For instance, Meta's Instagram introduced its own "About this account" feature back in 2018, focusing on accounts with large followings.
Similarly, popular video platforms like TikTok and YouTube have added various contextual labels to help users distinguish between official sources and regular personal accounts. This move by X aligns with Elon Musk's broader vision of transforming the platform into an "everything app" that integrates payments, content creation, and a suite of other functionalities.
