X’s location feature: How a simple update exposed where accounts really operate
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- X’s new location feature exposes US accounts operating abroad, including some linked to 'Israel' and fake MAGA profiles.
X, formerly Twitter, triggered controversy after briefly rolling out a feature revealing users’ countries of origin, exposing a shocking number of US accounts operating from foreign locations, including some linked to 'Israel'.
Launched on November 21, 2025, the feature allowed users to click on an account’s “Joined” date to see its country, account creation date, username changes, and verification status. Screenshots quickly circulated showing prominent US figures, Eric Trump, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, and Barron Trump, listed in countries like Macedonia.
Verified MAGA accounts also appeared foreign-based.
Another viral tweet also revealed that US gov accounts like DHS are operating from 'Israel'.
“X activated locations last night showing US gov accounts like DHS operating from Israel. Twenty minutes later, the feature was deactivated, and government accounts were exempted.”
The rollout also revealed misleading accounts tied to the 'Israel'-Hamas conflict. Activists noted that Western accounts pushing 'Israel'-related content originated from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other countries.
X’s head of product, Nikita Bier, said the feature helps users verify authenticity and spot bots or impersonators. But after privacy concerns and backlash over “misleading” locations, X paused the feature. Grok, X’s AI assistant, confirmed:
“The Location feature was paused due to user feedback on privacy issues and risks of unintended exposure.”
Critics argued the problem was less privacy than transparency, with many users pointing out widespread foreign-run accounts pretending to be Americans.
The feature has returned with options to show only broader regions and exempts government accounts, but the brief exposure highlights ongoing concerns over misinformation, political influence, and foreign interference on X.
