US Proposes Social Media Screening for All International Visitors
New Rule Would Require Five Years of Social Media History and Family Details for Entry
The United States is moving to significantly expand its screening of foreign travelers by proposing a new rule that would require virtually all tourists to disclose five years of social media history before entry. The plan, detailed in a notice published in the Federal Register, aims to enhance security but raises immediate questions about privacy and the impact on tourism.
The proposed change by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) would apply to all travelers entering the country, including those from visa-waiver nations who currently use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). The ESTA program allows citizens from over 40 allied countries—including the United Kingdom, France, Australia, and Japan—to visit the U.S. for tourism or business for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa.
Currently, social media information is requested optionally on some visa and ESTA forms. The new rule would make its submission mandatory and vastly expand the scope of data collected.
What Visitors Would Need to Provide
Under the proposed rule, travelers would be required to submit:
· All social media handles or usernames used on major platforms in the past five years.
· Associated email addresses and telephone numbers from the same five-year period.
· The names, addresses, phone numbers, and birthdates of their immediate family members.
CBP states the information would be used for “enhanced security vetting,” helping officials identify potential threats and connections to terrorist or criminal networks by reviewing public posts and connections.
Implications for the Visa Waiver Program
The ESTA system, which costs $21 and is valid for two years or until the traveler’s passport expires, is designed to facilitate easy travel. The addition of a mandatory, in-depth social media review could complicate and potentially lengthen the approval process. It also places a new burden on travelers to recall and report all online identifiers used over half a decade.
Privacy advocates are expected to challenge the scope of the data collection, arguing it constitutes a disproportionate invasion of privacy for millions of law-abiding visitors. The tourism industry may also express concern that the added hurdle could deter some travelers.
The notice in the Federal Register opens a 60-day period for public comment on the proposal. The rule is not final and could be modified based on the feedback received before CBP issues a final decision.
If approved, the change would mark one of the most stringent digital border screening policies implemented by any Western nation.
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