The administration of US President Donald Trump plans to order foreign tourists who do not need a visa to enter the US, to disclose their social media histories from the last five years before entering the country, according to an official notice. That includes turning over five years’ worth of social media history as well as biometrics such as face, fingerprint and DNA.
They would also have to submit other “high-value data fields” including phone numbers from the last five years, email addresses from the past decade, personal details of family members and biometric information.
The decision grew out of an executive order Trump signed in January to vet more closely those who are coming into this country who would only need to apply for a waiver using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
The proposal would apply to visitors from 42 countries, including Britain, France, Germany, Australia, Singapore, New Zealand, Qatar, Israel and Japan as well as many other European countries, who do not need a visa to enter the United States. Currently, these travellers applying for ESTA, are still required to provide certain personal details.
Under the proposed new rules, the collection of social media data would become a “mandatory” part of ESTA applications.
The new proposal, open for public comment through February 9, though it is unclear how it would impact those wishing to come to the US.
A blow for the US tourism industry
This is likely to be another hit to the travel and tourism industry, which the US Travel Association says contributes about “.9 trillion to the US economy and supports some 15 million jobs. The US is on track to see a drop of $12.5 billion in foreign tourist revenue this year.
It would seem to be a setback for a country hosting the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics, and it comes on top of a proposal to raise fees for foreign visitors at US national parks. Along with Mexico and Canada, the country will host the 2026 World Cup, which is certain to attract large numbers of soccer fans from across the world.
Clamp down on student visas
The Trump administration over the past 11 months has made sweeping changes in the immigration process, severely tightening every legal and illegal form of entry into the United States. The administration has also placed heavy emphasis and scrutiny on the social media accounts of people in the US on student visas.
CNN reported that the State Department has revoked about 6,000 student visas this year, and the administration’s restrictive stance toward what students studying on visas can post to social media has discouraged others from even applying to study in the US.
Student applicants have been asked to set their profiles to public, and lack of an online social media presence could be seen as a negative that may be held against them in the application process.
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