## Global outrage over X’s new location disclosure
Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, faced a storm of criticism after introducing a new feature that displays the location of users’ accounts. The rollout sparked intense debate, with users arguing that it exposes personal information and reveals networks of coordinated online behavior.
### Privacy concerns and user backlash
Many users voiced anger that their geographic data became visible without explicit consent. Critics fear the change could jeopardize anonymity, especially for political activists, journalists, and whistleblowers. Others expressed unease that the feature might fuel online harassment or targeted misinformation campaigns.
### Allegations of organized influence and “troll farms”
Following the update, some users reported discoveries of clusters of accounts located in unexpected regions. Posts circulated claiming that coordinated interactions from countries such as Nigeria, the United States, and others suggest the presence of so-called “troll farms” or influence operations manipulating online discussions.
### Official responses and community reactions
While Musk and X’s management have not issued a detailed explanation, the company has stated that increased transparency is part of a broader effort to build trust and authenticity on the platform. The disclosure, however, has divided the user base: some applaud it for exposing manipulation, while others demand its removal.
> “We didn’t sign up for global surveillance disguised as transparency,” one user wrote, reflecting growing alarm across the platform.
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**Author’s summary:** The rollout of X’s location display feature ignited global privacy concerns and debates over online manipulation, dividing users between transparency advocates and anonymity defenders.
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AFP on MSN — 2025-11-25