Twitter: a modification of the X parameters for the new calling service allows users to be located | Technology
X users may be tracked if they do not change a setting that, as of yesterday, is enabled by default. Since last week, the old Twitter has offered the possibility of making audio and video calls. It happens that, according to several users of the social network this Sunday, activating this option provides the IP address (a sort of unique license plate for each connected device) to the caller.
Knowing a user’s IP address can be used to track their approximate location, which can be particularly sensitive in dictatorships or regimes that practice political repression. It may also involve confidants or sensitive sources in journalistic investigations.
The novelty has generated the dissatisfaction of many users, who complain that a change of this type is applied without notice and on all devices at the same time. Audio calls can only be made by users connected to each other (who follow each other or have exchanged at least one direct message).
However, the fact that this involves exchanging the IP address (of the sender and recipient of the call) has prompted many people to disable this option. Users often don’t know or trust everyone they interact with or have interacted with on X.
♦️Be careful with audio and video calls on X. Each call reveals the IP address of the person making and receiving it.
Plan Ponds with the four simple steps to turn off audio and video calls on Twitter (X) (which are on by default). https://t.co/9aKlYMLclS
– Carmela Rios🕊 (@CarmelaRios) March 3, 2024
To block audio calls, you need to go to the “Settings and privacy” option, click on “Privacy and security”, then on “Direct messages” and from there click on the “Enable audio calls” button and video”, which, if it has not been touched before, it will be activated.
X does not specify in the description of this new service whether audio and video calls are encrypted communications or not (as is the case, for example, with services like WhatsApp). You also can’t consult anyone at the company whether it’s encrypted or not, since shortly after Elon Musk bought Twitter, he laid off his entire communications team (and thousands of engineers).
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