US Government Considers Mandating 5 Years of Social Media History for Visitors
The U.S. government proposes requiring visa waiver travelers to share five years of social media history, emails, and family information, with a 60-day public comment period.
Overview
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) proposes requiring visitors from visa waiver countries to provide up to five years of social media history, emails, and immediate family details.
This potential new requirement would affect citizens from 42 nations, including key U.S. allies in Europe, Australia, Japan, and South Korea.
The Trump administration's plan aims to integrate social media history as a mandatory data element within ESTA applications for tourists entering the U.S.
The U.S. government has opened a 60-day public comment period, allowing feedback before the proposed changes are potentially finalized and implemented.
Critics express concerns that these proposed changes could discourage international tourism and lead to travelers engaging in self-censorship online.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover this story neutrally, presenting the proposed social media history requirement as a factual development from the US Customs and Border Protection agency. They detail the proposal's scope, current regulations, and future implications without employing loaded language or taking an overt stance. The reporting focuses on informing readers about the policy change and its context, including official rationales and public comment opportunities.
Sources (8)
FAQ
The proposal affects citizens from 42 nations, including key U.S. allies such as European countries, Australia, Japan, and South Korea.
Travelers would be required to provide up to five years of social media history, emails, and information about immediate family members.
The integration of social media history aims to enhance security measures following the January 2025 Executive Order 14161 focused on protecting the United States from foreign terrorists.
The U.S. government has opened a 60-day public comment period to allow feedback before the proposed changes may be finalized and implemented.
Critics worry that the requirement could discourage international tourism and cause travelers to self-censor their online activities to avoid scrutiny.
History
This story does not have any previous versions.