US Considers Social Media History Screening For Foreign Travelers

Travelers from countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and South Korea may soon face new entry requirements for visiting the United States.

A proposal submitted on Tuesday by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) suggests collecting up to five years of applicants’ social media history as part of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) process. According to the filing, the proposal would require applicants to provide details of social media platforms used in the past five years. 

The proposed changes would apply to travelers under the Visa Waiver Program, which allows citizens of 42 countries to visit the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa, provided they obtain prior authorization via ESTA.

Additional Personal Data Requested

In addition to social media details, the CBP plan would also collect an applicant’s phone numbers used over the past five years and email addresses from the past decade. The proposal also calls for more detailed information about family members.

Currently, ESTA applicants pay $40 and must submit basic contact and identification details. The approval is valid for two years. While social media disclosure has remained optional since 2016, immigration analysts now expect a shift in perception and suggest that leaving these fields blank could negatively impact the application.

Concerns Over Privacy and Impact on Tourism

The move follows recent efforts by the federal government to expand social media vetting across other visa categories, including H-1B skilled worker visas and student visas. 

It also comes as the Department of Homeland Security considers introducing a $250 visa integrity fee for certain visa applicants, though travelers under the Visa Waiver Program would not be subject to that charge.

The proposal has sparked concern among civil liberties groups and travel industry analysts, who warn it could create barriers for legitimate visitors and infringe on digital rights.

With major international events on the horizon, including the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, some experts fear the changes may discourage tourism.

Asked on Wednesday whether tighter screening could hurt visitor numbers, President Donald Trump dismissed the concern. “No,” he said. “We just want people to come here safely. We want security. We want to make sure the wrong people aren’t entering our country.”

CBP confirmed that the proposal is not yet a final rule. A spokesperson stated that the agency will collect public comments for 60 days before considering any next steps.