Social media platform X is working on a new feature that will reveal whether users are using a VPN service when connecting to the platform. The company’s Product Manager, Mikita Bier, announced plans to display more information about users, including their country of origin, to more effectively combat troll accounts on the platform. When this new feature is fully implemented, a public warning is expected to appear on a user’s profile page if they are using a VPN or proxy service, warning that their location information “may not be accurate.” This move is said to fundamentally change the dynamics of anonymity, security, and privacy on the platform.
X’s Controversial VPN Decision: Location Information May Be Disclosed
Mikita Bier indicated that these new profile elements could be available as early as November 18, 2025. According to emerging previews and leaked information, the system will automatically add a warning to a user’s profile when it technically detects they are connecting through a proxy or VPN. However, this does not mean that X users will be prevented from using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) or similar privacy tools on the platform; Only those using these tools will receive additional information on their profiles. While the stated purpose is transparency and to prevent trolls, this has been met with significant concern by global privacy advocates.
Privacy organizations and cybersecurity experts have already begun to harshly criticize this decision. NetBlocks Research Director Işık Mater emphasized that people use VPN technology not just for entertainment, but to stay safe in oppressive environments. According to Mater, this move risks exposing activists and journalists to governments. Similarly, Surfshark CTO Donatas Budvytis stated that VPN use is vital in authoritarian regimes to avoid censorship and state surveillance, and that detecting a VPN in a connection could put people at risk.
Other security firms have also issued cautious statements on the matter. NordVPN CTO Marijus Briedis stated that this warning serves more of a flag than a security purpose and could lead to journalists or activists simply concerned with their privacy being labeled as “suspicious.” Proton VPN General Manager David Peterson stated that the exact operation of the system is not yet clear. Peterson pointed out that user locations could be derived from the app store region rather than the physical IP address, and warned that this could lead to users being subjected to incorrect rules or unfairly excluded from age-restricted content. Exactly how and when the X administration will mandate this feature will be determined in the coming days.
While privacy debates continue on social media platforms, this new move from X raises further questions regarding user security. Do you believe this new implementation is necessary for security and transparency, or do you see it as a dangerous step that violates user privacy?
