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Is X (Twitter) safe to use?

Use with caution

Usable, but moderation has weakened, impersonation is common and Grok was misused to create sexual deepfakes in early 2026.

Checked October 2026

Quick facts

Owned by
X Corp (owned by Elon Musk's xAI)
Based in
USA
Encryption
Regular DMs are not end-to-end encrypted; an encrypted chat option is being rolled out.
Data it collects
Profile, posts, device and location data, and posts used to train xAI's Grok unless you opt out.
Minimum age
13+

What keeps you safe

  • Community Notes add context to misleading posts.
  • Two-factor authentication and passkeys.

Risks to know about

  • From December 2025, Grok's image editor was used to make sexualised images of real people, triggering investigations in France, India, Malaysia and elsewhere in January 2026.
  • Paid verification makes impersonation easier.
  • Your public posts can train AI models by default.

Scams to watch for on X (Twitter)

  • Fake verified accounts impersonating brands, celebrities and support.
  • Crypto giveaway scams.
  • DMs with links to fake login pages.

Is X (Twitter) legit?

X is a legitimate platform, but treat any account offering money or crypto as a likely scam.

Is it safe for kids?

Not recommended for children. Sensitive-content settings help but are not reliable.

How to use X (Twitter) safely

  1. Turn on two-factor authentication.

  2. Turn off "Allow your posts to be used for training" in Privacy settings.

  3. Never trust a blue check on its own.

Where X (Twitter) is restricted

Does a VPN make X (Twitter) safer?

Partly. A VPN hides your IP address and protects you on public Wi-Fi. It can't stop X (Twitter) collecting data or scammers messaging you.

Picked for privacy and getting messages through.

Proton VPN

Swiss-based with open-source apps and a free tier, plus a Stealth protocol for restrictive networks.

For strict networks: the Stealth protocol.

Try Proton VPN

ExpressVPN

Obfuscation is switched on automatically on every server, so there is no special mode to find.

For strict networks: automatic obfuscation (protocol set to Automatic).

Try ExpressVPN

Private Internet Access

Open-source apps, unlimited devices and servers in every US state, at a low price.

For strict networks: the Shadowsocks proxy option.

Try Private Internet Access
Not sure about these three? See 3 more VPNs NordVPN, Surfshark and CyberGhost

NordVPN

Largest network of the six, with the NordWhisper protocol for networks that inspect traffic.

For strict networks: NordWhisper or obfuscated servers.

Try NordVPN

Surfshark

Unlimited devices on one plan, with NoBorders mode that switches on in restrictive regions.

For strict networks: NoBorders mode.

Try Surfshark

CyberGhost

Servers labelled for specific streaming services and a 45-day refund window on longer plans.

For strict networks: a nearby server (CyberGhost has no stealth mode).

Try CyberGhost

We earn a commission if you buy a VPN through our links. It never changes what we report as blocked. How we pick and how we make money

Questions people ask

Is X (Twitter) safe to use?

Usable, but moderation has weakened, impersonation is common and Grok was misused to create sexual deepfakes in early 2026.

Is X (Twitter) legit?

X is a legitimate platform, but treat any account offering money or crypto as a likely scam.

Is X (Twitter) encrypted?

Regular DMs are not end-to-end encrypted; an encrypted chat option is being rolled out.

What data does X (Twitter) collect?

Profile, posts, device and location data, and posts used to train xAI's Grok unless you opt out.

Is X (Twitter) safe for kids?

Not recommended for children. Sensitive-content settings help but are not reliable.

Does a VPN make X (Twitter) safer?

Partly. A VPN hides your IP address and encrypts traffic on public Wi-Fi, so your network and ISP can't see what you do on X (Twitter). It does not stop X (Twitter) itself from collecting data, and it does not protect you from scams inside the app.

Sources