Social media platform X is implementing a major update to its impersonation policy, mandating that parody, commentary, and fan accounts clearly identify themselves as such. Beginning Thursday, these accounts must include labels like “fake” or “parody” at the start of their usernames, not buried in the bio or at the end of the name.
Additionally, such accounts are now required to use distinct profile images that do not mimic the individuals or organizations they reference. This visual differentiation is intended to prevent confusion, especially when usernames appear truncated in feeds or search results.
The new directive is part of a broader initiative aimed at reducing misleading impersonations—particularly those involving high-profile figures, such as X’s owner, Elon Musk. One recent example involved a parody Musk account with over a million followers promoting a fake Tesla giveaway, a post that garnered more than 428,000 likes and 200,000 replies.
In a statement released Saturday, X said:
“These changes are designed to help users better understand the unaffiliated nature of parody, commentary, and fan (PCF) accounts and reduce the risk of confusion or impersonation.”
The updated guidelines apply not only to parody accounts but also to fan pages and commentary profiles, which are often mistaken for legitimate or affiliated accounts.
Affected users have been urged to update their usernames and profile visuals ahead of the policy’s enforcement deadline. Failure to comply may result in suspension or permanent removal from the platform.
While X had previously introduced parody labels in January, the platform’s latest move marks a shift toward a more proactive and prescriptive approach. Previously, many impersonators placed “parody” or “fan” in parentheses at the end of their names—an effort that fell short, especially when accompanied by matching profile pictures.
The issue has drawn international scrutiny. In July, the European Union criticized X’s verification system, suggesting that the platform’s blue tick system could mislead users and potentially violate content regulations. Musk dismissed the concerns, calling the EU’s position “misinformation.”
Since acquiring X in November 2022, Musk has maintained that unlabelled impersonation is grounds for immediate ban. However, critics argue that enforcement has been inconsistent, as parody accounts—ranging from harmless jokes to suspicious crypto promotions—continue to proliferate.
As the Thursday deadline looms, X faces growing pressure to strike a balance between free expression and responsible governance, ensuring its platform remains a space for both creativity and accountability.
