How X’s new location feature exposed big accounts
By BBC, November 25, 2025Dozens of high-engagement accounts on X have been accused of misleading users following the rollout of a new transparency feature that shows user locations.
Users on the social network seized on examples of pro-Trump accounts that posted about US politics, but which turned out to be based outside the US. There were also anti-Trump accounts with misleading locations, too.
Posts from some of the accounts have attracted millions of impressions, views, likes, reposts, and replies – which can result in payment from X.
BBC Verify is not able to independently confirm the information X provides about each account.
Data 99 percent accurate?
The location data is visible in a new “about this account” tab, which appears on every profile.
It also contains a warning that the location data may be affected by recent travel, temporary relocation, and the use of virtual private networks (VPNs).
However, according to X’s head of product, Nikita Bier, the information is 99 per cent accurate.
On Saturday, November 22, 2025, Trump shared on Truth Social a screenshot of a post from an X account called “TRUMP_ARMY_” celebrating a Supreme Court ruling it says will allow the president to deport criminals to El Salvador.
This account has gathered more than half a million followers, including a senior Republican senator.
But X’s data has revealed that the account is based in India and the username has changed four times since March 2022.
The account profile has now been changed to “an Indian who loves America, President Trump, Musk!”
Another account called “IvankaNews_”, which describes itself as a fan account for Trump’s daughter, has gathered more than one million followers and has previously posted about voting for the president last year.
However, the account is based in Nigeria, and its username has changed 11 times since 2010, according to X.
After its location was revealed, the account posted that “some of us living outside the USA genuinely support President Trump’s movement”.
X now appears to have suspended “IvankaNews_”, but the reason is unclear.
A proud Kenyan Democrat
BBC Verify has also found examples of accounts sharing anti-Trump posts, which are actually based outside the US, according to X’s new feature.
One account, with 52,000 followers, claimed to be a “proud Democrat” and “professional MAGA hunter”.
The user appears to have deleted their profile after it was revealed that they were based in Kenya.