Buterin Expresses Concerns Over X’s New Location Feature Amid Privacy Issues Raised by Crypto Users

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has voiced his concerns regarding a new feature on X that reveals users’ locations, labeling it as "risky." This sentiment aligns with the privacy concerns expressed by many in the cryptocurrency community, who fear that this change could expose high-value investors to greater risks.

Key Takeaways

Vitalik Buterin criticizes X's new location feature for its privacy risks.
Concerns are raised about how it may facilitate targeted attacks on users.
Some crypto executives and users also share apprehensions about mandatory disclosure of location data.
There is a way for users to opt out of this feature to maintain privacy.
Reactions to the feature are mixed, with some arguing it could enhance transparency.

Buterin says X’s new location feature ‘risky’ as crypto users flag privacy concerns

Concerns Raised by Buterin and Other Crypto Figures

Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum, has qualified X’s new feature, which reveals account holders’ countries, as “risky.” He shares the worries of various crypto users who are concerned about potential privacy infringements due to this rollout.

On Saturday, Nikita Bier, X's director of product, announced that the feature was introduced to bolster the integrity of the platform and help users verify information. However, Buterin indicated on Sunday that while some users could find ways to misrepresent their actual locations, the feature might initially foster positive interactions by providing better insights into the perspectives of diverse communities.

Nevertheless, several users in the crypto space raised alarms that malicious individuals could exploit this feature to identify and target high-net-worth investors directly, raising significant privacy alarms. Buterin later reflected on these concerns, stating, "I thought about this more. I think responders are right that revealing the country non-consensually without offering any opt-out option, not even stopping usage of your account, is wrong."

Vitalik Buterin Privacy Concerns _Source:_Vitalik Buterin

Widespread Privacy Concerns Among Crypto Executives

Many in the industry share Buterin's apprehensions. Hayden Adams, the founder of Uniswap, openly condemned the feature, stating, “I hate it. Opt-in doxing is fine, but mandatory doxing is psychotic.” Additionally, Andrei David, the chief technology officer for decentralized finance platform Summer.fi, emphasized his concerns about privacy, arguing that the real issue lies in enforcing visibility without prior notice. “A privacy-sensitive feature should always start with the least revealing setting,” he remarked.

How To Opt Out for Enhanced Privacy

In response to privacy concerns, Bier mentioned that there is an option to adjust settings to only display an account’s broader region. An X user, known as "Langerius" and affiliated with the Web3 community and consulting group Hunters of Web3, shared guidance for users wishing to maintain their privacy:

“If you want to hide it: 1- Turn it off: Settings & Privacy → Privacy & Safety → Disable Country Visibility 2- Or switch from country to region/continent in the same menu,” they advised.

Privacy, Vitalik Buterin, Social Media _Source:_Langerius
Related: VanEck boss questions Bitcoin’s privacy, encryption against quantum tech

Mixed Reactions from the Community

Despite the apprehensions, some users on X have taken a more favorable stance toward the new location feature. They argue that in a country as large as the United States, which has a population of around 350 million, revealing a location is not likely to make someone easily identifiable. Others, like crypto venture capitalist Nic Carter, have defended the feature, asserting its necessity in preventing overseas accounts from potentially interfering in local politics by falsely portraying themselves as being from within a specific country.

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