Canadian researchers specializing in tracking online misinformation and foreign interference are expressing support for a new feature introduced by X that discloses the geographic location of user accounts. However, they caution that the feature still has some flaws and advise users to interpret the results with caution.
The unveiling of actual account locations has the potential to expose fake accounts and foreign agents posing as Canadians to manipulate political discourse. Despite its potential benefits, researchers also highlight the risks associated with revealing the locations of individuals like dissidents or users employing Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) for online communication.
X, formerly known as Twitter, recently launched an “about this account” feature that displays the geographical location of accounts. This move, aimed at enhancing transparency and combating misinformation spread by malicious actors on social media, caught many users off guard.
The revelation triggered a swift response, prompting users in the U.S. and Canada to investigate accounts with discrepancies between their claimed and actual locations. Notably, influential accounts supporting U.S. President Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement were found to be based in regions like Eastern Europe, Russia, and Nigeria, raising concerns about potential foreign influence on the movement.
Similar location mismatches were observed in accounts engaging in discussions about Canadian politics. For instance, a prominent Conservative-leaning account with over 150,000 followers was identified as being located in Italy, while another account advocating for Alberta sovereignty with 15,000 followers was listed as being based in Thailand. Neither account has responded to queries from CBC News.
Furthermore, two out of five federal political parties and certain media organizations, including the CBC, were inaccurately listed as being located outside Canada. Notably, the Liberal Party and New Democrat accounts were erroneously placed in the United States, with explanations attributing the discrepancies to the use of VPN technology by the parties.
Despite these discrepancies, experts emphasize that the feature could aid in identifying accounts involved in foreign interference activities. However, they caution against drawing definitive conclusions solely based on location data and urge users to critically evaluate online content.
