Tourists from dozens of countries, including the UK, could be "asked" to provide a five-year history of social media use as a condition of entry to the US, under a new proposal presented by US officials, the British television network BBC reported tonight.
The new requirement would affect people from dozens of countries who are eligible to visit the U.S. for 90 days without a visa, provided they have completed an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) form.
Since returning to the White House in January, President Donald Trump has moved to tighten controls at US borders, citing national security as a key reason.
Analysts believe the new plan could pose a barrier to potential visitors, or threaten their digital rights.
The US is expecting a large influx of foreign tourists next year, as it hosts the men's soccer World Cup along with Canada and Mexico, and will also organize the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
The draft document was submitted by the Customs and Border Protection Service and the Ministry of Internal Security.
The proposal states that ESTA applicants will be required to submit their social media data from the last 5 years, without detailing what specific information will be required.
The existing ESTA requires a relatively limited amount of information from travelers, as well as a one-time payment of $40. It is available to citizens of about 40 countries - including the UK, Ireland, France, Australia and Japan - and allows them to visit the US multiple times over a two-year period.
In addition to collecting information from social media, the new document proposes collecting the applicant's phone numbers and email addresses used in the past few years, as well as more information about family members.
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