The US is considering requiring tourists to disclose social media history
The United States is considering tightening the rules for citizens of countries entering under the Visa Waiver Program. The new initiative proposes requiring passengers who use the ESTA electronic authorization system to provide information about their social media accounts from the past five years. In addition, the proposal includes introducing a requirement to disclose a ten-year history of email address usage, as well as providing additional information about close relatives. The initiative is currently under discussion and is being considered as part of an expansion of digital screening procedures for entry into the country.
The new requirements may affect citizens of 42 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program. These include European countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and France. At present, obtaining ESTA requires providing basic contact information, travel itinerary details, and answers to standard security-related questions. The planned changes will significantly increase the amount of data required to be submitted during the application process.
The Customs and Border Protection Service views the expansion of collected data as part of a system for assessing potential risks. Providing information about social media accounts and email addresses, in their assessment, will allow for a more precise applicant profile and help identify possible signs of violations associated with online activity. It is assumed that such measures may become part of the general set of monitoring tools used to analyze the digital activity of foreign nationals.
According to preliminary information, the measures may lead to an increase in the processing time for entry authorization applications. Reviewing the expanded data set and verifying accounts may require additional analysis procedures, which could affect the deadlines for automated system processing. Along with this, the strengthening of digital monitoring may increase the number of cases in which additional inspections are assigned when crossing the US border.
As part of the discussion of the initiative, attention is drawn to the need to assess the technical capacity to process the increased volume of information. Plans include developing data protection mechanisms as well as clarifying the regulations for storing and using submitted information. Questions of interagency coordination and the potential integration of data into existing security databases are also being examined.
The discussion of the initiative continues a broader policy of expanding digital verification mechanisms for foreign nationals. Over recent years, the list of data that may be requested upon entry has gradually expanded. The new measure may become part of a comprehensive approach to security aimed at improving control efficiency and preventing potential risks.
The timeline for implementing the proposal has not yet been determined. If approved, the requirements will be introduced in stages, followed by updates to the application rules for visa-free tourists. Authorities plan to consider the technical, organizational, and legal aspects related to processing the personal data of foreign citizens.