Tech Desk 
Dec 01, 2024
An undated image of X (formerly Twitter) logo. — DepositPhotos
X is working on a solution to reduce confusion caused by parody accounts. According to a software engineer, the platform is developing a new label for parody profiles.
This label, when adopted, will appear below the username on both the account's profile page and its posts, making it easier for users to identify content as parody.
Why does X's new label matter?
Parody accounts sometimes blur the line of the boundary between humour and actual reality, making users sometimes lose focus and think they're engaging with an official one.
Currently, X’s authenticity policy permits Parody, Commentary, and Fan (PCF) accounts, provided their intent is not to mislead.
The lack of distinction labels, however, led people to be confused about segregating them. To alleviate such confusion, X establishes a "Parody account".
The X's new label may be just a step in the right direction, but ensuring its compliance among parody account holders is a challenge. The current version of X already restricts accounts to follow proper guidelines to avoid impersonation.
However, not everyone adheres to this; for example, X requests labelling for automated bot accounts through its API, and yet some accounts misuse the automation during sensitive events such as elections.
For the new parody label to thrive, X is likely to enforce strict rules and possibly impose penalties for non-compliance. If most parody accounts do not take up this feature, then the platform risks further confusion.
With this potential update, X is trying to improve transparency and trust in the users. There is no date announced for the label rollout yet.
