When Privacy Isn’t Private: How X (Formerly Twitter) Can Expose Your Identity Without Consent

For over 16 years, I’ve published information-based content online under a pen name. This isn’t a branding choice it’s a boundary. My pseudonym protects my privacy, shields my advocacy work, and allows me to speak freely without fear of retaliation. But recently, that boundary was breached.

Unwanted Attention and Digital Exposure

It started with hostile comments on my personal Facebook page. These weren’t random trolls they felt targeted, personal. I hadn’t shared my page publicly, nor was it indexed by search engines. So how did someone connect my real identity to my advocacy work?

Curious and concerned, I began searching for myself online. What I found was unsettling: an old Twitter account I created in 2009 now absorbed into Elon Musk’s rebranded platform, X was still live. It displayed both my real name and pen name, along with links to my blog and other private details. I hadn’t touched that account in years, yet it had quietly become a breadcrumb trail to my identity.

X’s Shifting Privacy Landscape

What disturbed me most wasn’t just the exposure it was the platform’s role in enabling it. X’s privacy policy has undergone significant changes since Musk’s acquisition, and many of those changes erode user protections. According to Mashable’s breakdown of X’s updated privacy policy, the platform now collects more personal data and shares it in broader, less transparent ways. Even biometric data is on the table.

The default settings on X make most user information public unless manually changed. That means old accounts ones you may have forgotten can still be indexed, scraped, and weaponized against you.

Taking Control of Your Digital Footprint

After recovering my login credentials, I immediately updated my banner, removed personal images, and deleted all private links. But the lesson was clear: if you value your privacy, you must proactively audit your online presence. Search for yourself. Review every account. Delete what no longer serves you or worse, exposes you.

This isn’t paranoia. It’s protection.

The Cost of Speaking Freely

In today’s climate, freedom of speech is under scrutiny. Advocacy work, especially when it challenges dominant narratives, can provoke backlash. If someone disagrees with your research or opinions, they may not debate you they may try to silence you. That’s why maintaining digital boundaries is not just wise it’s essential.

Final Thoughts

Platforms like X have evolved from microblogging tools into sprawling data ecosystems. What you shared in 2009 might still be visible in 2025. And if your advocacy relies on anonymity, that visibility can be dangerous. Privacy isn’t just a preference it’s a right. But in the age of algorithmic exposure, it’s also a responsibility.