Social media platform X is rolling out tougher rules to crack down on misleading parody accounts from 10 April onwards.
Under the new policy, all accounts pretending to be someone else must clearly include words like “fake” or “parody” at the start of their names. They must also avoid using identical profile pictures to the person or account they are mimicking.
This change follows complaints from users who say they’ve been misled by fake accounts, including those imitating X owner Elon Musk.
“These changes are designed to help users better understand the unaffiliated nature of PCF accounts and reduce the risk of confusion,” X said on Saturday. The platform is urging all affected users to update their profiles before the new rules take effect.
The updated policy applies to parody, fan, and commentary accounts, which must all follow the same guidelines.
One user welcomed the move, saying they regularly receive messages from fake Elon Musk accounts. Another commented, “About time.”
Some parody accounts of Musk have gone viral with memes, jokes, and even claims of giving away Teslas. One such post received over 428,000 likes and 200,000 replies.
X introduced parody labels in January and says its blue tick system helps combat impersonation. However, the EU raised concerns in 2024, saying verified ticks could still mislead users. Musk dismissed this as “misinformation.”
Although some parody accounts already include the word “parody” in their names, long usernames and matching images can still trick users.
