The United States has proposed new requirements that would make social media disclosure mandatory for travellers applying through the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation. The proposal was published by the Department of Homeland Security and would apply to citizens of visa waiver countries seeking permission to enter the US for short stays. Under the plan, applicants would need to provide details of social media accounts used during the previous five years. Officials said the measure aims to improve security screening by allowing a broader review of applicant information.
The visa waiver program currently allows citizens of 42 countries to travel to the US for up to 90 days without a visa if they receive approval through the authorisation system. Applicants from countries including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan and Australia would be required to submit their social media account identifiers as part of the revised process. The information has been optional until now. The proposal would make disclosure a condition for completing the application.
Authorities also proposed collecting additional personal information from applicants. This includes phone numbers, email addresses and identification details for close family members. The plan also calls for applicants to submit a photograph of their face to support identity verification. Officials said these changes reflect a broader shift toward digital screening methods across immigration processes.
Some groups have expressed concerns about the proposals. They argue that mandatory disclosure of social media accounts may raise privacy issues and affect freedom of expression. Critics said the additional requirements could discourage travel or complicate the application process, particularly for those who maintain multiple accounts across different platforms. They also noted that large-scale data collection may increase processing delays.
Officials said the changes are intended to strengthen the ability of border authorities to assess potential risks before travellers arrive. They added that social media identifiers would be used in the same way as other data already collected during immigration checks. The proposal does not request passwords or access to content but focuses on account identifiers.
The plan is subject to a public consultation period of 60 days. During this time, individuals and organisations can submit comments on the proposed requirements. Officials said they will review the feedback before issuing a final decision. If implemented, the new rules would align the authorisation system with practices already used in other parts of the US immigration framework, where some applicants are required to provide social media information as part of background checks.