As per the notice published Wednesday in the Federal Register, US Customs and Border Protection “is adding social media as a mandatory data element” as part of the screening process for travellers entering the United States.
The announcement pertains to Visa Waiver Program participants from more than three dozen countries who submit their information to the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation, which automatically screens and approves them for travel to the country. Unlike visa applicants, they are normally not required to visit an embassy or consulate for an interview.
The changes will likely affect citizens of roughly 40 mostly European and Asian countries who currently travel to the US for tourism or business for three months without visas. The public has 60 days to comment on the proposed changes before they take effect, according to the notification.
Under the proposed changes, travellers would also need to provide a list of other information, including telephone numbers used over the past five years or email addresses used over the past decade. Metadata from electronically provided images would also be needed, as well as significant information about the applicant’s family members, such as their birthplaces and phone numbers.
The notice did not specify what the administration was searching for in the social media accounts or why it was requesting additional information. However, the agency stated that it was following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in January, which called for increased screening of those entering the country to avoid the entry of potential national security concerns.
Since January, the Trump administration has increased immigration and travel checks on both people attempting to enter the United States and those already in the country.
Travellers from countries not included in the Visa Waiver Program system are already asked to provide social media information. But citizens from visa waiver countries were not previously obligated to provide this information.
