The United States may soon require foreign tourists to submit their social media history from the past five years as a condition for entering the country. The new proposal, outlined by US officials, would apply to citizens of about 40 countries that can currently visit the US for up to 90 days without a visa, including the United Kingdom, France, Australia, and Japan. Travelers would need to provide this information through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) form, according to a report by the BBC.
The proposal indicates that ESTA applicants must share their five-year social media activity, though it does not specify which exact details will be required. It also suggests collecting additional information such as telephone numbers used in the last five years, email addresses from the past decade, and further details about family members.
Since returning to the White House in January, President Donald Trump has taken several measures to tighten US border security, citing national security concerns. Analysts warn that the new plan could deter potential visitors and infringe on digital privacy rights.
Asked whether this policy could hurt the US tourism industry, Trump responded that he was not worried: “We’re doing well. We just want people to come here and stay safe. We want security and protection. We want to make sure the wrong people are not entering the country,” he said on Wednesday.
The US is expecting a major influx of international tourists next year as it prepares to co-host the men’s FIFA World Cup with Mexico and Canada, and to stage the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
The proposal, submitted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its agency Customs and Border Protection (CBP), has been published in the Federal Register, the official journal of the US government. It references a January executive order aimed at protecting the US from foreign terrorists and other threats to public safety.
The new ESTA data-collection plan is open for public comment for 60 days. A CBP spokesperson noted that no immediate changes have been made for current travelers, describing the proposal as the first step toward exploring new security policy options.
Digital rights organization Electronic Frontier Foundation criticized the plan, calling it a threat to civil liberties. Immigration law firm Fragomen warned of potential delays for ESTA approvals if the policy takes effect.
The Trump administration has previously expanded social media screening for student visa applicants and H-1B skilled-worker visas. The State Department has said it may review applicants’ online presence, including making social media profiles public for inspection. Applicants who fail to list their social media history could face visa rejection.
Officials also indicated that existing travel restrictions affecting 19 countries in Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean may soon be expanded, following the recent shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., in which an Afghan national has been charged.
Experts say that earlier changes to US travel policies have already impacted the tourism industry. The World Travel and Tourism Council noted that the US is the only one among 184 analyzed economies expected to see a decline in international tourist spending in 2025. Additionally, Canadian travel to the US has dropped for 10 consecutive months, partly due to boycotts over Trump’s tariff policies.
