Elon Musk’s social media platform X (previously known as Twitter) has come under scrutiny after a heated online debate over whether users in Nigeria should be subject to a “location” tagging feature that might reveal that they are based outside the United States. The discussion raises concerns around privacy, discrimination, and platform control.
The controversy erupted after X introduced a feature that potentially marks the location of users tweeting from outside the U.S., prompting backlash from users in Nigeria who say they are being unfairly targeted. The debate quickly became a trending topic on the site.
One Nigerian user posted: “If you don’t live in the U.S., your location is now displayed. Are we second-class users?” others echoed similar frustrations, accusing X of creating a two-tier user system.
Critics warned that labeling users based on nationality could expose them to new forms of discrimination, while supporters said the feature helps with content moderation and transparency.
X has not responded publicly to the backlash yet, but some observers note the discussion highlights a broader struggle over algorithmic power, data governance, and digital sovereignty — especially between global tech platforms and African users.
