US May Require Five-Year Social Media History from Foreign Tourists

The United States (US) may soon ask foreign tourists to share up to five years of their social media history before they can enter the country. This proposal was announced by American officials and could affect millions of visitors each year. It would apply to travellers from countries that currently qualify for visa-free entry under the ESTA system.

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization allows people from about 40 countries to enter the US for up to 90 days without a visa. These include the UK, Ireland, France, Japan, and Australia. Travellers only need to fill out an online form and pay a small fee. Under the new plan, they would need to provide more personal information, including social media accounts used in the last five years.

US May Require Five-Year Social Media History from Foreign Tourists

The proposal comes after President Donald Trump returned to the White House earlier this year. His administration has focused heavily on border security. Officials say the goal is to strengthen screening and prevent potential threats. They argue that social media checks could help identify high-risk individuals.

However, analysts warn that the plan could discourage tourism. They say the new requirement may be time-consuming and intrusive. Some digital rights groups also worry about privacy. They argue that handing over social media history could put people’s online freedom at risk.

When asked if stricter rules might reduce the number of visitors, President Trump said he was not worried. He said the US is performing well and expects strong tourism numbers. He added that safety and security are the top priorities. According to him, the government wants to ensure that only the right people enter the country.

The US is expecting major events in the coming years. The men’s football World Cup will be held across the US, Canada, and Mexico next year. The 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles will also draw millions of tourists. Some experts believe these events will increase pressure on the government to tighten screening measures.

The proposal was submitted by the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection. It was published in the Federal Register, which is the official record of US government actions. The document states that applicants would need to share their social media details, but does not explain exactly what will be collected.

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It also proposes that applicants provide phone numbers from the past five years and email addresses used over the last 10 years. In addition, the form may request more information about family members.

Officials say this is only the start of a discussion. A CBP spokesperson said nothing has changed yet for travellers. The government will collect public feedback for 60 days before taking further steps.

Privacy advocates remain concerned. Sophia Cope from the Electronic Frontier Foundation said the policy could increase risks to civil liberties. Immigration experts warn that the extra checks could slow down the ESTA process.

For now, the proposal is still under review. But if approved, it would mark one of the biggest changes to US travel rules in recent years.