U.S. Moves to Require Tourists to Disclose Five Years of Social Media Before Entry
The U.S. government is proposing that international tourists submit up to five years of their social media history before being allowed into the country, a dramatic expansion of border screening that could reshape travel this year. According to Reuters, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) unveiled the plan tied to broader national security vetting.
The move is already drawing alarm from travelers and privacy advocates who say it could chill tourism and infringe on civil liberties. The proposal would apply to citizens of about 42 countries under the Visa Waiver Program, including long-standing U.S. allies like the United Kingdom, France, Japan and Australia.
Under the draft rule, applicants using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) may be required to list social media accounts they’ve used over the past five years, along with emails, phone numbers, and detailed information about family members. Reuters and AP News report that the plan could also encompass additional biometric and personal identifiers, though specifics remain under review.
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The proposal is not final; CBP has opened a 60-day public comment period that must close before any changes take effect.
“It’s a significant expansion of data collection at our borders that raises serious privacy concerns,” a digital rights advocate told Cybernews.
The timing matters as the U.S. prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup and sees global tourism rebound after pandemic lows. Industry groups warn that added digital screening could deter visitors and slow entry processing, affecting travel plans and economic recovery.
The administration frames the policy as necessary for identifying potential threats before arrival, linking it to a January executive order on national security vetting.
Public comments on the proposal will shape its final form. Until then, the requirement remains under discussion and not yet law.
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