Journalists face new risks and opportunities from X’s location labels
JournalismPakistan.com | Published 1 hour ago | JP Global Monitoring Desk
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X’s new location-disclosure tool challenges journalist anonymity but also offers new ways to verify suspicious accounts; here’s what reporters need to know.Summary
LONDON — The recent rollout of X’s “About This Account” feature marks a significant shift for journalism: reporters may now face greater exposure online, even as they gain a new tool to assess disinformation. By displaying where an account is based — country or region — the platform is challenging the balance between anonymity and transparency.
Anonymity under pressure
For many journalists, especially those reporting from or about repressive environments, or working as freelancers or activists, anonymity is a vital layer of protection. Revealing their country of origin could expose them to surveillance, harassment or even reprisals. On the other hand, the very feature that endangers anonymity is also being used to unmask coordinated propaganda networks posing as foreign citizens or crisis‑zone eyewitnesses.
Reporting and verification strategies
Journalists now need to adapt quickly. First, use the “About This Account” data as a preliminary investigative tool, but never rely on it alone. Expert analysts recommend complementing this data with cross-checks: analyze posting cadence, language style, engagement patterns, metadata in posted media, and username-change history.
Second, sources who require anonymity should be advised to review their privacy settings on X. The platform reportedly allows users to choose whether their profile displays a full country or just a broader region — a feature that could reduce exposure in high-risk contexts.
Third, news organizations should consider digital‑safety protocols that reflect this change. That includes setting up secure channels for whistleblowers, regularly evaluating risk, and training reporters in operational security, especially those dealing with sensitive or conflict reporting.
Finally, audience transparency matters. When using this new “About This Account” data in published investigations, journalists should disclose how they verified the location information, and note caveats: X itself has admitted inaccuracies, especially for older accounts or those using VPNs.
Key Take‑Away
X’s location feature offers a powerful tool in the fight against disinformation, but for journalists, it’s a double-edged sword. With thoughtful risk mitigation and rigorous verification, it can be leveraged safely.
KEY POINTS:
- X now shows where user accounts are based by country or region
- This raises risks for journalists who rely on anonymity for protection
- The feature also helps expose coordinated or foreign-run disinformation accounts
- Reporters should cross-verify location data using additional open‑source signals
- Media organisations must strengthen digital‑safety protocols in response
ATTRIBUTION: Based on expert commentary, public reporting, and analysis of X’s product changes.
PHOTO: AI‑generated and for illustrative purposes only.
