U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is proposing to collect extensive personal data, including 5 years of social media history, from travelers entering the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This proposal, announced in a notice published in the Federal Register on 10/12, would require applicants to submit this information through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
Beyond social media, the proposed changes would mandate passengers to declare a list of phone numbers used over the past 5 years, emails used for 10 years, metadata from photos submitted with their applications, and detailed information about relatives, including birthplaces and phone numbers. This marks a significant expansion from the current ESTA application, which only requests basic information such as parents' names and current email addresses.
Passengers at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Romulus, Michigan, on 30/11. Photo: AP/Ryan Sun |
The ESTA system automatically screens and approves applications from visa-exempt travelers, a program managed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The VWP allows citizens, primarily from Europe and Asia, to travel or conduct business in the U.S. for a maximum of 90 days without a traditional visa.
President Donald Trump expressed strong support for the measure, stating he was not concerned about its potential impact on tourism. Speaking at the White House, he emphasized, "We need safety, security, and we must ensure that unsuitable individuals do not enter our country." The proposal aims to implement an executive order issued by President Trump in January, which called for stricter screening processes for entrants to prevent security risks. The agency also cited a terrorist attack on National Guard forces in Washington DC just before the recent Thanksgiving holiday as a reason for tightening scrutiny.
The public has a 60-day period to submit comments before the regulation is implemented. CBP clarified that these draft details are an initial step in discussing new policy options to protect the American people, and there are no immediate changes for those entering the U.S.
This move follows existing policies where citizens from non-Visa Waiver Program countries have been required to disclose social media information since President Trump's first term, a practice maintained under President Joe Biden. Since January, the Trump administration has tightened screening processes for immigrants and visitors, requiring applicants to make all social media accounts public for review by the Department of State. Refusal to make accounts public could lead to visa denial.
However, the proposal has drawn criticism from free speech and immigration advocacy organizations. They fear the new measure could be abused to screen individuals critical of the government, potentially infringing upon freedom of expression. The announcement did not specifically explain what the agency intends to examine in social media accounts or why additional data is necessary.
