US Seeks 5 Years of Social Media History for Entry
“`html
Overview
The US government is proposing notable changes to the data collected from travelers entering the country under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP). These changes, outlined in a notice published in the Federal Register on December 11, 2025, would require applicants for Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval to submit up to five years of social media data, email addresses, and extensive family history.
Details of the Proposed Changes
Currently,ESTA applicants provide basic biographical information,travel plans,and answers to eligibility questions. The proposed rule, published by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in the Federal Register, seeks to expand this significantly. Specifically,CBP intends to collect:
- Social Media data: Up to five years of social media handles and search history from platforms used by the applicant.
- Email Addresses: All current and previous email addresses used by the applicant.
- Family History: Detailed information about the applicant’s parents, grandparents, and other close relatives, including places of birth and dates.
- Biometric Data: The notice also alludes to potential future collection of biometric data.
The CBP states the purpose of this expanded data collection is to identify individuals who may pose a threat to national security or public safety. the proposal affects travelers from 42 countries currently participating in the Visa Waiver Program.A list of participating countries can be found on the State Department’s website.
CBP’s Justification and Concerns
CBP argues that this expanded data collection is necessary to enhance vetting procedures and counter evolving threats. They cite the increasing use of social media by individuals involved in criminal and terrorist activities as justification. However, the proposal has raised concerns regarding:
- Privacy: The extent of personal information being requested raises significant privacy concerns for travelers.
- effectiveness: Critics question whether the collected data will genuinely improve security or simply generate a large volume of irrelevant information.
- Discrimination: Concerns have been raised that the data collection could disproportionately affect individuals from certain countries or backgrounds.
- impact on Tourism: The added complexity and potential for denial of entry could deter tourism from VWP countries.
Timeline and How to Submit Comments
The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on December 11, 2025. The public has a limited time to submit comments on the proposed changes. The deadline for comments is [[[[Insert Comment Period End Date – based on federal Register notice].
Comments can be submitted electronically through the regulations.gov website. The docket number for this proposed rule is 2025-22461. The notice in the Federal Register explicitly states that comments should be submitted before the rule is