Washington D.C. – The United States government is moving to significantly expand data collection from foreign visitors, including requiring access to five years of social media history, as part of a broader effort to tighten security vetting procedures. The proposed changes, announced in recent weeks and slated to take effect as early as January 1, 2026, apply to travelers from 42 countries currently enrolled in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
The move, spearheaded by the Trump administration, represents a substantial escalation in the scrutiny applied to individuals seeking to enter the U.S. For tourism or short-term business travel. Currently, citizens of VWP countries can apply for travel authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) without requiring a traditional visa interview. The proposed overhaul aims to transform ESTA into a mobile-only process, demanding far more extensive personal information.
Beyond social media data, applicants will be asked to provide email addresses used over the past decade and details about their immediate family members, including phone numbers and residential addresses. The requirement to submit five years of social media history will be mandatory, according to a notice posted by Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The impetus for these changes stems, in part, from a November 2025 attack on National Guard members in Washington, D.C., and broader geopolitical concerns. Officials cite a need to enhance national security, public safety, and immigration integrity. A Presidential Proclamation issued on December 16, 2025, expands existing travel bans to cover nationals from a total of 39 countries, citing deficient vetting and security cooperation.
The expansion of the travel ban includes the original 12 countries previously restricted – Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen – and adds seven more: Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Syria. Full entry bans, encompassing both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas, will be imposed on nationals from these countries.
However, the proposed social media requirements are already drawing criticism from the travel industry, which warns of potential economic repercussions. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) recently surveyed nearly 5,000 international residents who regularly travel abroad and found that one-third would be less likely to visit the U.S. If required to submit their social media information. The WTTC estimates this decline could cost the U.S. An estimated $15.7 billion in lost visitor spending and potentially 150,000 jobs.
Gloria Guevara, president of WTTC, described the proposed change as potentially putting the U.S. At a “competitive disadvantage.” She noted that travelers have numerous destination options and perceive the request for social media access as “intrusive.” “Notice so many places to travel, and the ESTA travelers will choose another destination,” Guevara said. “We will see a decline and the decline is translated into jobs.”
The changes come at a time when global travel was experiencing a banner year, with most countries seeing increases in visitor numbers. However, the U.S. Has not shared in this trend, according to Guevara. The potential decline in arrivals from ESTA countries could represent a 23% drop, equating to as many as 4.7 million fewer international visitors in 2026.
The move to collect more data from travelers is part of a wider trend of increased vetting and surveillance measures implemented by U.S. Immigration agencies. The initiatives encompass not only social media mining but also the collection of “selfies” and other biometric data as part of the ESTA application process. This reflects a growing emphasis on utilizing all available data sources to identify potential security threats.
The 42 countries affected by the proposed changes include key U.S. Allies in Europe, such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, as well as Australia, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea. While citizens of these nations currently enjoy visa-free travel, they will now face a more rigorous screening process before being granted entry.
The implementation of these policies raises questions about privacy concerns and the potential for discrimination. Critics argue that scrutinizing social media activity could lead to biased assessments and unfairly target individuals based on their political views or religious beliefs. The extent to which the collected data will be used and how it will be protected remains a subject of debate.
The Department of Homeland Security has not yet released detailed guidance on how the social media data will be analyzed or what criteria will be used to determine admissibility. However, officials have indicated that the goal is to identify individuals who may pose a threat to national security or public safety. The effectiveness of this approach and its potential impact on legitimate travelers remain to be seen.
