Could Your Social Media Decide Whether You Enter the U.S.?

The United States is proposing major changes to its ESTA travel screening, requiring visitors from visa-waiver countries to provide five years of social media history, past phone numbers, email addresses, and even family details.

The new U.S. travel rule, introduced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, would make social media disclosure mandatory for travelers entering under the Visa Waiver Program, a significant shift from the optional question added in 2016.

According to the proposal, travelers from 42 countries, including the U.K., Japan, Australia, and most of Europe, would have to list their social media accounts from the past five years, creating a more expansive U.S. immigration screening process.

The policy is part of the Trump administration’s broader immigration agenda, which has already tightened student visa reviews and expanded social media checks across various entry pathways.

Supporters say it enhances security, while critics warn it raises privacy and civil-liberty concerns.

The proposal is open for public comment until February 9, and if finalized, the new ESTA social media requirement could reshape how millions travel to the United States.