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The United States is planning to require social media inspections for foreign tourists as President Donald Trump continues to expand restrictions on international travel. Visitors from dozens of other countries, including close allies like the United Kingdom, Australia, France, and Japan, would be required to submit up to five years of social media history as part of their application to enter the country under this proposal.
The policy was outlined in a notice published by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which opened a 60-day public comment period before the measure can be finalized. While it’s not yet in effect and may be revised, it signals a significant shift in how US authorities screen short-term visitors.
The new requirements would apply to travelers using the Visa Waiver Program, which allows citizens of participating countries to visit the US for up to 90 days without a visa. These travelers must apply through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which currently carries a $40 fee. Under the proposed changes, social media history would become a mandatory data element within the ESTA application process.
In addition to social media data, CBP plans to collect additional information. This include applicants’ email addresses from the past 10 years, telephone numbers used within the last five years, and detailed information about immediate family members. Applicants would also be required to upload a selfie, which CBP says would enhance identity verification and improve screening accuracy by ensuring applicants match the documents used to obtain ESTA approval.
The proposal reflects an escalation of travel security measures introduced in recent months. This follows an incident in which a man from Afghanistan was accused of shooting two National Guard members near the White House. In response, President Trump said his administration would significantly tighten immigration and travel policies while blaming previous leadership for allowing large numbers of migrants into the country.
The administration has now moved to expand travel restrictions affecting more than 30 countries. An earlier version of the travel ban, announced in June, blocked entry from 12 countries and restricted access from seven others. The expanded list includes countries such as Afghanistan, Somalia, Iran, and Haiti.
Anthony’s Take: If finalized, this social media screening requirement would mark one of the most comprehensive data-collection efforts applied to short-term US visitors ever. This will certainly impact travel and US tourism as many view these requirements as invasive and violations of their privacy. CBP can already go through the phones and electronic devices of visitors (and residents for that matter). This just takes it one step further.
(Image Credits: Aziz Shamuratov and Sanya Kushak via iStock.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
1 comment
This is something you might expect from the other hermit kingdom rather than a bastion of freedom. Frankly this is terrifying and as a foreigner I would avoid our country if this is enacted.