US Proposes 5 Years of Social Media History for Travelers

Expanded Digital Screening for Travelers

• 🇺🇸 US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is proposing a significant expansion of digital screening for international visitors.
• 📱 This new proposal would require travelers from 42 Visa Waiver countries to share up to 5 years of social media history as part of their Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) application.
• 🌍 The measure aims to enhance national security by identifying potential threats like ties to violent extremism or fraud before travelers board flights to the U.S.

ESTA and Application Process

• 📝 Currently, ESTA applications require basic contact details and a $40 fee, with authorization typically valid for 2 years.
• 🗓️ Under the proposed rule, CBP would phase in the additional social media questions after a 60-day public comment period and review by the White House Budget Office.
• ✈️ This change is intended to help officers spot red flags, aligning with a 2025 executive order focused on protecting the U.S. from foreign terrorists and national security threats.

Concerns and Public Reaction

• ⚠️ Travel industry groups express concern that the move could lead to longer approval waits and increased flagging for extra screening, especially with events like the 2026 World Cup approaching.
• ⚖️ Civil liberties advocates criticize the proposal as a form of blanket surveillance that could chill free speech and collect vast amounts of data on innocent individuals and their contacts.
• 👍 One traveler interviewed at LAX acknowledged the privacy invasion but stated that in the current world, safety is paramount, and they would be okay with opening up their social media for security reasons.

Current Status and Next Steps

• ⏳ For now, travelers with existing valid visa approvals can continue to use them until they expire.
• 💬 CBP is accepting public comments on the plan for the next 60 days before making a final decision on whether to move forward, amend, or withdraw the proposal.