Elon Musk’s X rolls out feature that shows users’ country of origin – then suddenly removes it

Summary:

Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) briefly displayed users’ country flags or location tags next to profile names based on IP addresses – purportedly to combat misinformation. The feature appeared without warning on October 9, 2023, causing immediate backlash over privacy risks. VPN users reported incorrect flag displays, while activists warned of danger for anonymous accounts in repressive regimes. X quietly removed the tags within 24 hours, though the abrupt change reflects Musk’s “move fast and break things” approach to platform updates.

What This Means for You:

• Impact: Your location data may have been temporarily exposed via IP address mapping.
• Fix: Check if residual location tags exist in Settings > Privacy & Safety > Location.
• Security: Assume X can still track your country via IP; use VPNs if anonymity is critical.
• Warning: Features tested without warning; disable “Precise Location” in app permissions.

Solutions:

Solution 1: Audit Account Settings Now

X may retain location data even after removing the public tags. Go to privacy settings and revoke location access:

iOS: Settings > X > Location > Select "Never"
Android: Apps > X > Permissions > Location > Deny

On desktop, visit x.com → More → Settings → Privacy → disable “Track where you see X content.” Clear cached location data via Security → Your Data → Location Information → Delete.

Solution 2: Use Privacy-First Tools

VPNs mask your real IP address, but X’s system misidentified many VPN exit nodes during testing. Combine multiple tools:

1. ExpressVPN/NordVPN for IP masking
2. Tor Browser for anonymous access (avoid account login)
3. DuckDuckGo Email Protection to hide email-linked locations

Note: Avoid “free” VPNs selling data. Paid VPNs with RAM-only servers (e.g., ProtonVPN) offer stronger privacy.

Solution 3: Lock Down Profile Security

If you engaged with sensitive content, assume adversaries may have recorded your country tag. Immediately enable these protections:

Settings > Security > Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
Settings > Privacy > "Protect your posts" and "Hide your location"

Review active sessions under Security → Login History – log out unrecognized devices. For journalists or activists, consider migrating to Signal or decentralized alternatives like Mastodon.

Solution 4: Monitor X Updates Proactively

Subscribe to X’s @Safety channel and enable update notifications under Settings → Notifications → Alerts. Bookmark these critical pages:

Help Center: https://help.x.com/en/safety-and-security
Bug Report: https://help.x.com/en/forms/safety-and-sensitive

Use tools like Wayback Machine (archive.org) to track sudden interface changes. Developers can monitor API endpoints like /account/settings for new location parameters.

People Also Ask:

• Q: Did X permanently delete my country data? A: Unclear; location logs may remain in backups per their privacy policy
• Q: Can I sue X for revealing my location? A: Possible under GDPR/EU laws if harm occurred
• Q: Why show country origins? A: Allegedly to flag “state-affiliated” propaganda accounts
• Q: Will this feature return? A: Likely with opt-out settings after backlash analysis

Protect Yourself:

• Disable “Precise Location” in your device OS settings globally
• Avoid clicking “Show my country” prompts – these may opt you into future tests
• Use separate emails/browsers for social media to prevent cross-service tracking
• Regularly audit account tags via x.com/settings/your_twitter_data

Expert Take:

“Geo-tagging without consent creates tangible risks – from doxxing to government targeting. X’s reversal shows even Musk recognizes this, but the incident proves they’ll test intrusive features first and ask later.” – Cybersecurity Analyst at Electronic Frontier Foundation

Tags:

• Elon Musk X country origin feature removed
• How to hide location on Twitter X
• X platform privacy settings update
• VPN for anonymous social media usage
• User data protection on Musk’s X
• X app location tracking issues

*Featured image via source