Are you dreaming of a trip to the United States? If you’re from one of the 42 countries that currently don’t need a traditional visa – like the UK, France, Australia, or Japan – then a significant change could be heading your way. The US government is proposing new rules that would ask you to open up your digital life before you even step foot on American soil.
Currently, visitors from these countries apply for an ESTA waiver, a straightforward electronic authorization that requires basic personal details. But under the new proposal, your ESTA application would become a lot more personal. The biggest change? You’d be required to disclose your social media history from the past five years. Yes, that means your posts and public activity from platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram could be part of your entry assessment.
But it doesn’t stop there. The proposed rules also ask for other “high-value” personal data. This includes phone numbers used over the last five years, email addresses from the past decade, personal details about your family members, and even biometric information. These measures are part of a broader push by the administration to tighten migration controls, aiming to enhance security and vetting processes for all international travelers.
This isn’t a done deal yet! The public has a 60-day window to comment on the proposal, giving individuals and organizations a chance to voice their opinions on these sweeping changes to international travel. So, if you’re planning a US adventure, keep an eye on these developments – your digital footprint might soon become a crucial part of your travel plans!
