X Adds VPN Detection to Combat Bot and Foreign Influence

X is rolling out a significant transparency update that will help users identify accounts potentially hiding their true location through VPN services. The platform announced it will soon display new data on user profiles, including account creation dates, creator locations, and username change history. This information will be accessible through a new “About this profile” section, providing users with critical context about who they’re engaging with online.

Fighting Troll Networks and Foreign Manipulation

The VPN indicator is particularly important for combating coordinated disinformation campaigns. Foreign operatives frequently target social media platforms to amplify propaganda and destabilize governments. Microsoft has repeatedly identified large-scale influence activity from China targeting U.S. platforms, while Google terminated over 10,000 YouTube channels linked to Chinese state actors in 2025 alone, along with hundreds more connected to Russian operations. These efforts often rely on hiding true locations through VPN services, making detection critical.

Enhanced User Awareness and Platform Accountability

The new features aim to increase transparency and help users better understand the context behind posts they encounter. While the information won’t appear directly in-stream, it will empower users to question suspicious activity and potentially highlight foreign operatives in comment sections. However, the effectiveness of these tools depends on user engagement—people must actively check profiles and raise concerns when VPN usage or unusual locations are detected.