Pakistan-Based “American” X Account Suspended After Location Feature Exposed Its Origin

A prominent X account, operating for years under the name “American,” has been suspended. This action followed the platform’s new location transparency feature revealing the account was based in Pakistan. The disclosure sparked widespread discussion and scrutiny across the social media platform.

The account’s true origin was uncovered when a tech blogger shared a screenshot. It showed the profile was connected via the Pakistan App Store. According to Reuters, this new feature is part of X’s efforts to increase platform integrity.

X’s Location Transparency Shakes User Trust

The screenshot revealed the account was created in March 2007. Its username was reportedly changed once in 2018. The profile had built a significant following over its long operational history.

Public reaction to the exposure ranged from anger to amusement. Many users expressed surprise at the account’s true location. The suspension quickly followed the public revelation, though the specific rule violation was not officially detailed.

Broader Impact of the New Feature

The new feature displays an account’s country of origin and sign-up date. X’s head of product stated this is a first step for securing the “global town square.” Dozens of other high-engagement political accounts have also been exposed as foreign-run.

This move aims to help users verify content authenticity. It has significant implications for political discourse and misinformation campaigns. The policy impacts accounts across the political spectrum, revealing operatives outside their claimed countries.

The suspension of the “American” account underscores a new era of social media accountability. X’s location transparency feature is already reshaping online interactions. This development marks a critical step toward authentic digital communication.

Info at your fingertips

What is X’s new location feature?

X now shows the country where an account was registered. You can find it by tapping the sign-up date on a user’s profile. This is intended to increase platform transparency.

Why was the “American” account suspended?

The exact reason for the suspension has not been officially confirmed. It occurred immediately after the account’s Pakistani origin was publicly revealed. X has not commented on the specific rule violation.

How are people reacting to this news?

Reactions online have been mixed, with many users expressing shock. Some found the long-running deception impressive in a concerning way. Others are frustrated by the prevalence of inauthentic accounts.

Has this affected other accounts?

Yes, the feature has exposed numerous politically charged accounts. Many accounts presenting as US-based have been shown to operate from other countries. This includes voices from both major US political parties.

Can users hide their location on X?

The feature displays the country of registration, not a user’s current IP location. This information is tied to the account’s initial sign-up details and app store. It is not a setting users can manually change or hide.