US May Require Five-Year Social Media History from Foreign Tourists
In a new proposal, US officials have indicated that tourists from various countries, including the UK, might need to provide a five-year history of their social media activity to enter the United States.
This requirement would apply to travelers eligible for a 90-day visa waiver, contingent upon completing an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) form.
Since President Donald Trump resumed office in January, he has aimed to strengthen US borders, emphasizing national security as a primary concern.
Analysts warn that this new regulation could deter potential visitors and infringe on their digital rights.
When asked about the potential for a decline in tourism, Trump dismissed concerns, stating, “No. We’re doing so well. We just want people to come over here, and safe. We want safety. We want security.”
The US anticipates a significant increase in foreign tourist numbers next year, coinciding with the FIFA Men’s World Cup hosted alongside Canada and Mexico, as well as the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
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The proposal, submitted by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been noted in the Federal Register, the US government’s official publication.
While specifics on the required social media data were not disclosed, the proposal outlines new data collection, including telephone numbers and email addresses from the past five to ten years, along with information about family members.
This initiative references an executive order issued by Trump in January, titled “Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.” Public feedback on the ESTA changes is invited for a 60-day period.
Critics, such as Sophia Cope from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, express concern that this plan could heighten civil liberties issues.
Additionally, immigration law firm Fragomen noted that this could lead to longer processing times for ESTA approvals.
In previous announcements, the Trump administration indicated that social media accounts would be scrutinized during the visa application process for students and skilled workers.
The State Department noted that social media profiles must be set to public for this vetting.
An update on the US Embassy website for Mexico states specific visa applicants must disclose all social media accounts used within the last five years, warning that failing to do so could jeopardize current and future visas.
A senior official from the State Department remarked that ensuring national safety is an expectation of American citizens, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to this cause.
Broadening efforts to tighten border security, officials suggested that an existing travel ban affecting 19 countries might soon be extended following a shooting incident in Washington DC involving an Afghan suspect.
Experts have raised concerns that recent travel policy adjustments under Trump may be affecting the US tourism sector.
The World Travel & Tourism Council reported earlier this year that the US could be the only economy among 184 analyzed predicted to experience a drop in international visitor spending by 2025.
Other policies from the Trump administration have similarly influenced travel trends, notably resulting in a decline of Canadian visitors to the US, largely due to protests against Trump’s tariffs.
October marked the tenth consecutive month of declining Canadian travel to the US, where Canadians have historically comprised about 25% of international visitors, contributing over $20 billion annually.
