X is pushing out a new “About this Profile” section and it’s already stirring debate. The update adds basic details like account creation date and username history, but the spotlight is on something far more sensitive.

X will now show when a profile’s listed location might be unreliable because the user is connected through a VPN. It’s a direct attempt to reveal when someone’s online identity doesn’t match the story they present.

How the VPN Indicator Works

Whenever an account logs in, X checks the region tied to that connection. If the system detects that the login is routed through a VPN or proxy, it places a small note saying the location “may not be accurate”. Nothing gets blocked, restricted or removed, the feature simply adds context. The idea is to help people understand whether a profile’s origin is straightforward or intentionally obscured.

Why X Introduced This Feature

Over the last few years, X has struggled with bot accounts, coordinated political networks and anonymous pages designed to mislead. The platform believes that revealing basic metadata will give users a clearer sense of authenticity. This update is part of X’s broader push to clean up engagement, discourage manipulation and surface more trustworthy voices.

The Real Problem

The backlash has been loud for a reason. Many people use VPNs for protection, not manipulation. Journalists, activists and people living under surveillance heavy governments often depend on private connections simply to speak freely online. Flagging them publicly could expose them to risks they work hard to avoid. On top of that, early tests revealed inaccurate country labels on legitimate accounts, raising doubts about how reliable the system actually is.

Why This Matters for Everyday Users

The new indicator changes how people evaluate profiles. A simple safety measure like a VPN could be misread as suspicious. On the other hand, not every accurate location label guarantees authenticity either, so misjudgments can easily happen.

Conclusion

X’s transparency move has potential, but it comes with trade offs many users didn’t ask for. The VPN indicator might expose dishonest accounts, but it also risks misrepresenting honest ones. The only way to navigate this shift is to understand what the label actually represents and what it doesn’t.