X, under Elon Musk’s ownership, introduced a feature displaying the country locations of user accounts, aiming to increase transparency. However, the accuracy of this feature was immediately questioned by security experts and former employees, who cited the ease with which location data could be manipulated. They expressed concerns that the feature could be easily exploited using tools like VPNs, potentially misleading users and creating a false sense of security. Despite being proposed previously, the implementation of this feature was reportedly met with internal reluctance due to these very concerns, and the possibility of it backfiring. This new feature follows a trend of tech companies attempting to combat inauthentic behavior, but as a result of its rollout, the feature’s ultimate usefulness remains unclear.
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X’s new “about this account” feature has revealed that numerous influential figures within the “Make America great again” (MAGA) movement are operating from outside the United States. This transparency tool exposes account locations, joining dates, and username changes, leading to the discovery of several right-wing influencers based in countries such as Russia, Nigeria, and India, despite presenting themselves as American patriots. User findings included prominent accounts like MAGANationX and IvankaNews, which were revealed to be based in eastern Europe and Nigeria respectively. The new feature has amplified ongoing concerns about foreign actors and misinformation on the platform, issues that have persisted even with the change in ownership and the introduction of AI chatbots like Grok.
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Further investigation has revealed that several prominent social media accounts with patriotic American themes are not operated from within the United States. Accounts such as “America First” and “MAGA Nation,” boasting hundreds of thousands of followers, are reportedly based in Bangladesh and Eastern Europe, respectively. Furthermore, a fan page dedicated to Ivanka Trump, with a million followers, appears to be managed from Nigeria. These findings raise questions about the true origins and potential influence of these accounts.
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A victim of child sexual abuse, identified as Zora, is pleading with Elon Musk to remove links to her abusive images on X. The BBC’s investigation uncovered the presence of these images within a global trade of child sex abuse material, with an X account offering them for sale and linking to a trader in Indonesia. Despite X’s claims of zero tolerance, Zora and other victims are still suffering, as images of their abuse circulate online. The investigation also revealed the difficulty in stopping the traders from creating new accounts to replace those that get taken down.
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The Supreme Court of Canada announced its departure from X (formerly Twitter), directing followers to its other social media platforms, including LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. This decision, affecting over 45,000 subscribers, shifts the court’s communication strategy. While the court offered no immediate explanation, its presence on X dated back to 2015. This move follows Chief Justice Wagner’s emphasis on open communication with Canadians.
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Pakistan’s interior ministry finally admitted to temporarily blocking access to X (formerly Twitter) in February, citing national security concerns and the platform’s alleged failure to comply with government directives regarding misuse. The ban, implemented around the time of general elections, followed claims of vote rigging and subsequent protests. The government asserted that X was being used to spread destabilizing content, a claim disputed by activists who viewed the block as an attempt to suppress dissent. A court subsequently ordered the platform’s restoration within a week.
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The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) has joined the Bluesky social media platform, citing a multi-platform strategy. This follows recent US government censorship efforts under President Trump, including the blocking of numerous websites and content removal on X (formerly Twitter). While the FOPH will maintain its X presence, its Bluesky account will publish health policy and public health news. This move mirrors similar departures from X by other Swiss institutions and figures concerned about censorship.
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The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has abandoned X, formerly known as Twitter, and moved its communications to Bluesky. This decision reflects a growing unease with Elon Musk’s ownership and direction of the platform, and a desire for a more reliable and less politically charged environment for disseminating crucial health information.
The EMA’s departure isn’t simply a shift to a new social media platform; it’s a strategic move signaling a lack of confidence in X’s ability to consistently deliver vital public health messages. The agency clearly feels it can no longer depend on X as a dependable means of reaching the public with essential information, potentially impacting citizens who rely on the platform for updates on medications and medical decisions.… Continue reading
Elon Musk’s seemingly Nazi-salute-like gesture at Trump’s inauguration, repeated twice, prompted varied interpretations. While some view it as a clear display of Nazi sympathies, others attribute it to unintentional mimicry or skepticism of viral videos. However, Musk’s extensive history of extreme-right politics, antisemitic comments, and promotion of neo-Nazi content on X (formerly Twitter) renders such leniency dubious. This incident, coupled with his lack of contrition, highlights a broader erosion of moral standards in American politics, symbolized by institutions minimizing the gravity of his actions. Musk’s behavior underscores a dangerous trend of normalizing extremism and challenging established societal norms.
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Le Monde has ceased sharing its content on X (formerly Twitter) due to Elon Musk’s increasingly partisan use of the platform, which has rendered Le Monde’s presence less effective and more vulnerable to negative consequences. This decision follows the platform’s transformation into an extension of Musk’s political actions, blurring the lines between commerce and ideology. The resulting rise in toxicity and reduced visibility prompted Le Monde to prioritize its content elsewhere, recommending similar action to its journalists. Concerns about other platforms, particularly TikTok and Meta, are also prompting increased vigilance.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood