X, formerly Twitter, has launched a new feature called “About This Account”, offering unprecedented transparency on account origins. The update allows users to see the country or region where an account was first created, how many times the username has changed, and even how the X app was downloaded.
The rollout has already sparked global curiosity, with users digging into political and high-profile accounts. In the U.S., several accounts weighing in on major political debates were revealed to originate from Europe, including Russia. Some popular right-wing and MAGA accounts, which previously appeared American, were traced back to Nigeria, highlighting how foreign actors can influence online culture wars and political narratives.
The feature has also generated significant attention in Kenya. Fans discovered that The Anfield Talk, a popular Liverpool fan page with over 483,000 followers, is actually managed locally, not from the U.K. as previously assumed. The revelation amused many, showcasing Kenya’s unexpected influence on global digital spaces.
However, the update raises more serious implications. It could expose trolls and pseudo accounts that hide behind fake identities to push agendas locally. This comes shortly after an Amnesty International report alleged that the Kenyan government orchestrated coordinated online campaigns against Gen Z protesters between June 2024 and July 2025. The report highlighted the use of X, TikTok, and Instagram for trolling, smear campaigns, threats, and disinformation, targeting young activists through so-called “technology-facilitated violence.”
With this new transparency tool, X users now have the ability to verify the origins of influential accounts and understand the real people behind the online voices shaping conversations both locally and globally.
