Travelers visiting the United States may be asked to reveal five years of their social media history. a proposal presented on Tuesday by US Customs and Border Protection. The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that visitors from several dozen countries will be asked to hand over their social media and other personal information.
It is unclear which social media platforms the agency is referring to and whether specific messages would deter those travelers from traveling to the United States.
“Nothing has changed on this front for those coming to the United States,” a Customs and Border Protection spokesperson said in a statement. “This is not a final rule, it is simply the first step in beginning a discussion about new policy options to ensure the safety of the American people. The Department is continually evaluating how we screen those coming into the country, particularly after the terrorist attack in Washington DC against our National Guard just before Thanksgiving.”
On Dec. 5, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the administration did. Extension of the ban as he traveled from a handful of countries to more than 30 countries after an Afghan man was accused of shooting two West Virginia National Guard members Nov. 26, killing one.
The social media policy would apply to travelers entering the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. It involves 42 countries, including the UK, Germany, France and Australia, where visitors can travel to the US for up to 90 days without a visa.
Currently, travelers from visa-exempt countries must apply for one electronic travel permitpay $40 and provide your email address, home address, phone number and emergency contact information. Listing your social media accounts is optional.
Under the new proposal, these visitors would not only have to reveal their five-year social media history, but also their email addresses for the past ten years, as well as the names, dates of birth, hometowns and birthplaces of their parents, spouses, siblings and children.
Americans have 60 days to comment on the proposed change. Comments can be emailed to [email protected] until February 9.
The proposal follows a To be announced in June that some travelers who need a visa to enter the United States will need to change their social media profile to public if they do not already have that status.
Since President Donald Trump took office in January, the fight against immigration has been made an important issue. The government has also tightened travel restrictions to the United States.
The proposal comes six months before next summer’s 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and is expected to attract an influx of foreign tourists keen to attend the games.