X cracks down on parody accounts, new rules announced

Social media platform X, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, announced updates for parody, commentary, and fan (PCF) accounts to help increase transparency.

In a post laying out the new rules, X explained that all accounts under the PCF banner will be required to use “keywords” in their account names, as well as no longer being allowed to use identical profile pictures. This will likely help prevent accounts from duping people into believing a celebrity, politician or other public figure said or did something that they didn’t.

Look:

We’re rolling out updates to improve transparency for Parody, Commentary, and Fan (PCF) accounts on our platform. Starting April 10, all PCF accounts will be required to include PCF-compliant keywords at the beginning of their account names and avoid using identical avatars to…

— Safety (@Safety) April 4, 2025

“We’re rolling out updates to improve transparency for Parody, Commentary, and Fan (PCF) accounts on our platform. Starting April 10, all PCF accounts will be required to include PCF-compliant keywords at the beginning of their account names and avoid using identical avatars to the entities they depict,” the post reads. “These requirements also apply to accounts that have the Parody label. We’re continuing to refine this label and will soon have more details on how it will replace these requirements.”

“These changes are designed to help users better understand the unaffiliated nature of PCF accounts and reduce the risk of confusion or impersonation. We encourage all affected accounts to update their profiles before the enforcement date. As always, PCF accounts—like all accounts on X—must continue to follow the X Rules, including our Authenticity policy. If you believe an account is impersonating someone or misleading users, you can report it in-app or via our Help Center,” it concludes.

According to the X rules on authenticity, parody accounts “may not impersonate other identities of individuals, groups, or organizations to deceive others.”

“Although you are not required to display your real identity on your profile, your account should not use false profile information to impersonate others. We allow compliant Parody, Commentary, and Fan (PCF) accounts on X only if the purpose is to discuss, satirize or share information,” the explanation reads.

Writer/Columnist

Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to BizPac Review.

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