US may require tourists from visa-waiver countries to submit 5-year social media history

By Zoila Palma:  The United States is considering a new policy that would require foreign tourists from visa-waiver countries—including the UK, Ireland, France, Australia and Japan—to submit a five-year history of their social media accounts before entering the country, BBC reports.

The proposal, filed by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), expands the information collected through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which already allows eligible travellers to visit the US for up to 90 days without a visa.

Officials say the measure aligns with President Donald Trump’s efforts since returning to office in January to strengthen national security and tighten border controls.

Under the proposed rule, applicants would also need to provide phone numbers used in the past five years, email addresses from the past decade, and additional details about family members.

Analysts warn that the expanded data collection could deter potential visitors and raise digital privacy concerns, particularly ahead of a surge in expected travel tied to the 2026 men’s football World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

 Digital rights advocates, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation, have criticised the proposal for potentially exacerbating civil liberties issues, while immigration attorneys note that travellers could face longer approval times.

The plan comes amid broader efforts by the Trump administration to tighten US border and immigration policies, following earlier requirements for social media disclosure on student and skilled-worker visa applications and discussions about expanding an existing travel ban affecting 19 countries.