The Trump administration is preparing to require foreign tourists to disclose five years of social media history before entering the United States, according to a proposal from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The requirement would apply to travelers from the 42 countries in the Visa Waiver Program, including major U.S. tourism sources such as Britain, France, Australia and Japan. These visitors currently enter the country through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, known as ESTA, which allows them to stay for up to 90 days without a visa.
CBP’s proposal would make the disclosure of social media information a mandatory part of the ESTA application. At present, applicants can choose whether to provide their accounts.
The draft rule also calls for expanded personal data collection, including phone numbers used in the past five years and email addresses used over the past decade.
The Department of Homeland Security said the measure is part of broader efforts to strengthen vetting of international visitors. The agency noted that the proposal is not final and will undergo a 60 day public comment period before any changes take effect.
Critics say the plan could raise privacy concerns and discourage tourism. Supporters argue it would help identify security risks before travelers arrive in the United States.
If adopted, the rule would mark one of the most significant expansions of screening procedures for visa free travelers in recent years.