(Adnkronos) – The United States could soon require all foreign tourists to provide data related to their last five years of social media activity in order to enter the country. The measure is included in a proposal by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency, published in the Federal Register, which would make online profile checks mandatory even for visitors from countries that normally do not require a visa, such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy.
According to US media, the new rule is expected to come into force in early 2026. Applicants for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (Esta) will have to provide not only their personal details, but also phone numbers and email addresses used in the last five years, as well as the personal data of their closest family members. The crackdown comes as Donald Trump’s administration has already strengthened controls on “online presence” for various visa categories, from H-1B to study and cultural exchange entries, just months before the FIFA World Cup to be held in the United States in June.
Digital rights organizations, such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation, have denounced the risk of excessive and intimidating surveillance of travelers. The State Department has also asked consular officials to monitor for any “signs of hostility” towards the United States in the social media content of aspiring visitors. The public will have 60 days to submit comments on the proposal, which further confirms the Trump administration’s broad crackdown on legal immigration and entry criteria into the country.
