X also seeks to suppress by developing a label for parody accounts to distinguish them from the real ones. Users will now start seeing the label in messages as well as profile pages.
The company says the label's goal is to increase transparency, but there's a fatal flaw in the way X does it. Labeling is not yet mandatory at this time. And how Note, parody account operators have to apply it manually (by going to the “Your Account” section in Settings, then to “Account Information” and turning on the “Parody, Comments and Fan Account” option).
“We are implementing profile tags for parody accounts to clearly differentiate these types of accounts and their content on our platform. We designed these tags to increase transparency and ensure that users are not fooled into thinking such accounts belong to the person being parodied. “X wrote in . “Parody labels will be applied to both posts and accounts on X to clearly demonstrate the source of the content you see. We'll share details soon about when the label will become mandatory for parody accounts.”
We are implementing profile labels for parody accounts to clearly differentiate these types of accounts and their content on our platform. We designed these labels to increase transparency and ensure that users are not fooled into thinking such accounts belong to an organization…
— Security (@Safety) January 10, 2025
The company added that parody accounts must still comply with platform rules, including those related to authenticity. “The Parody, Fan, and Comment (PCF) labels are chosen by people on X to indicate that their profile account is portraying another person, group, or organization to discuss, ridicule, or share information about that entity,” says the label description. . “This label distinguishes these accounts to ensure they do not cause confusion for others or falsely imply any affiliation.”
Since X itself does not apply the label to accounts (presumably relying on the community to flag imposters rather than take a more proactive approach to moderation) and the fact that it is not yet mandatory, it is unlikely that it will be taken seriously is aimed at the problem of impersonation.
Scammers who pretend to be, say, X owner Elon Musk in an attempt to squeeze some bitcoin out of other users won't be inclined to put a tag on their accounts. And those who simply don't care about getting their account suspended for impersonating a legitimate news outlet, brand, or celebrity to spread misinformation are unlikely to do so either. It's almost as if the whole concept of authenticity on X was ever since the company allowed anyone to buy a blue tick for their profile.