Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has publicly criticised X’s (formerly Twitter) recently introduced profile location tag, calling it “risky” and highlighting potential privacy and security dangers for many users.
What the new feature does
X’s update adds a country/region label to user profiles — displaying the country from which an account appears to operate. The feature is intended by X to increase transparency and help users assess account authenticity, but it is being met with strong pushback from privacy-conscious communities.
Why Buterin warns it’s risky
- Forced disclosure: Buterin objects to revealing country-level info without a clear user opt-out, arguing that mandatory labels can expose users in sensitive regions or minority communities.
- Easily faked: He and other critics point out that the tag can be spoofed or misrepresented, creating a false sense of trust for malicious actors.
- User safety: Crypto users, activists, journalists and dissidents may face real harm if account location is exposed or misused.
Reaction from the crypto community
Buterin’s comments have resonated across the crypto world, where figures and privacy advocates have described the feature as a form of forced doxxing. While some argue that the label could help identify bots or foreign influence, many believe the cons — particularly safety risks — outweigh the potential benefits.
Related Post: How X's New Location Indication Feature Impacts African Crypto Projects
As of this writing, the location labels have been rolled out broadly, and X has not implemented a comprehensive opt-out for all users. Calls for an optional (opt-in) approach to location disclosure are growing louder; whether X will change course remains to be seen.
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