Vitalik Buterin Criticizes X’s New Location Feature: ‘Risky’ Impact on Crypto Privacy

Crypto privacy advocates have expressed concerns over X’s (formerly Twitter) new location feature, which automatically reveals users’ countries of residence. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has joined the chorus of dissent, highlighting the potential for misuse and infringement of user privacy. His analysis suggests that while the feature might initially provide transparency, its automatic activation without any opt-out option could lead to significant risks for individuals in the crypto industry who value their anonymity. Buterin expressed doubt about the short-term benefits of the new functionality and emphasized his belief that forcing users’ consent was essential to protect privacy, even in large countries where a bit of leaked data might still pose safety risks. ]