US proposes mandatory social media checks for visa waiver applicants

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has filed a proposal to require social media history from applicants to the Visa Waiver Program, including details from the past five years.

By Conor McAuley1 min read

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The proposal mandates that applicants for the Visa Waiver Program must provide social media information from the prior five years. This includes details on email addresses and phone numbers used over the same period.

Applicants from 42 countries, including Australia, the UK, and Japan, would need to submit this data through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. The requirement would apply to those seeking entry for under 90 days without a visa.

The proposal also includes gathering information on close family members, such as names, birth dates, and residences. It follows a broader initiative by the Trump administration to enhance national security through expanded data collection.