Vitalik Buterin Slams X for New Location Feature – Users At Risk?

In Brief

• Vitalik Buterin has criticized X’s new location-revealing feature, arguing it can be manipulated.
• Critics, including legal experts, say the update may violate transparency expectations.
• The feature has already caused confusion as many users report inaccurate location displays.

Shedrach Kongvong 2025-11-24

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has stepped into the growing backlash against X’s new location-revealing feature, warning that while it may look harmless now, its long-term risks could be far more serious. His criticism echoes a rising wave of concern among privacy experts and X users.

In a long X post, the crypto icon said while the feature may have some benefits in the short term, it can be manipulated over time and the purpose for its introduction is defeated.

Buterin Warns X: Location Features Can Be Abused Over Time

X users have widely criticized the new update that reveals their’ default location without prior consent, although some see it as a welcome development.

According to Buterin, the platform is wrong to implement such an update without giving users an option to opt out

Buterin stated that even if location visibility “doesn’t matter to most,” it absolutely matters to people who rely on anonymity for safety. Including activists, dissidents, whistleblowers, minorities, or users living under hostile governments. For them, he argues, “optional” is not enough, the feature should never be forced on by default.

I thought about this more and I think responders are right that revealing the country non-consensually without offering any opt-out option (not even "stop using your account") is wrong.

In most cases, revealing country still leaves a very large anonymity set, but there are some…

— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) November 23, 2025

Adding to the controversy, legal analysts have noted that the change may violate established Data Protection and Transparency regulations in multiple regions, especially where explicit consent is required for location disclosure.

X @X may be violating some Data Protection Rules especially that of TRANSPARENCY with this AUTOMATIC account location feature. @grok take note. #DataPrivacy #DataProtection #GDPR pic.twitter.com/bgPy5Cg0kl

— Foreign Practicing Lawyer (@GermanNRWNews) November 23, 2025

Users Report Wrong Locations – Sparking Even More Confusion

After the launch, users began posting screenshots of wildly inaccurate location readings. Sometimes showing cities or countries they have never visited. This raised new questions, if the system is flawed, what purpose does it actually serve?

Privacy advocates argue that inaccurate data combined with forced disclosure only amplifies distrust. Meanwhile, X and Elon Musk have not yet issued any formal response despite days of complaints, criticism, and calls for clarification.