X Locks Crypto Posts After Tortoise Hoax Pumps Token 6,000%
X will auto-lock accounts that mention cryptocurrency for the first time, forcing users through verification before posting. The policy follows a hoax where scammers hijacked an account impersonating Jonathan the tortoise's veterinarian.
Key Takeaway
X's auto-lock kills the speed advantage hackers need to pump scam tokens before victims notice.
X Head of Product Nikita Bier announced the platform will auto-lock accounts that mention cryptocurrency for the first time, forcing users through verification before the post goes live.
The policy comes after scammers hijacked an account impersonating Joe Hollins, the veterinarian who cares for Jonathan, a 193-year-old tortoise living on Saint Helena. The fake April 1 post claimed Jonathan had died, complete with a sentimental message about watching him walk across the lawn at Plantation House. Within hours, someone launched a JONATHAN memecoin on Solana that jumped more than 6,000% before pulling back sharply.
Governor Nigel Phillips of Saint Helena confirmed Jonathan was still alive. Bier said the new auto-lock system should eliminate 99% of the incentive for hackers to compromise accounts, especially since Google isn't stopping the phishing attempts that allow hijackers to break into profiles.
Hackers typically use fake copyright enforcement emails to trick high-profile account owners into handing over credentials. Once inside, they promote fraudulent tokens or demand ransoms as high as ₱242,098 ($4,000) to return control. The tortoise hoax follows a pattern of unauthorized tokens created around public figures including US President Donald Trump and Japanese politician Sanae Takaichi.
Bitcoin traded at ₱4,049,264 ($66,903) on the 24-hour chart as the hoax unfolded. X has rolled out stricter API limits and expanded bot detection to combat AI-driven scam accounts that exploit recommendation algorithms with deepfake crypto fraud.
This article was written based on reporting from Bitcoinist.
