U.S. Proposes Mandatory Social Media Disclosure for Visa Waiver Travelers

2025-12-11 politics

Washington D.C., Thursday, 11 December 2025.
A new proposal requires travelers from 42 visa-exempt nations to disclose five years of social media history, marking a significant shift in vetting protocols for international visitors.

Tightening the Digital Border

On December 10, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) formally announced a plan to overhaul the vetting process for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) [3][5]. The proposal, filed in the Federal Register, seeks to make the disclosure of social media history a mandatory requirement for travelers from 42 participating countries, including major economic partners like the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Japan [1][3][5]. While the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) has allowed optional social media disclosure since 2016, this new regulation would compel applicants to provide identifiers for all platforms used over the past five years [1][5]. Failure to provide this data could be interpreted by officials as a sign of concealment, potentially leading to a negative outcome for the application [1].

The Scope of Data Collection

The proposed expansion of data collection is extensive, reaching well beyond social media handles. Under the new rules, applicants would be required to disclose email addresses used within the last ten years and telephone numbers from the previous five years [2][4]. The CBP also plans to request granular biographical details regarding the applicant’s family, including names and birth data for parents, spouses, siblings, and children [1][5]. Furthermore, the administration intends to transition the ESTA process to a mobile-only format, decommissioning the current website for new applications [4][7]. This shift will require travelers to use the ESTA Mobile app, which incorporates facial recognition technology and will mandate the submission of a “selfie” photo distinct from the passport biographical page [4][7].

National Security Justifications

This regulatory tightening is explicitly linked to the Trump administration’s focus on border security. The proposal serves to enforce Executive Order 14161, titled “Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats,” which President Trump signed in January 2025 [5][7]. The White House has articulated that these measures are necessary to identify individuals who may “espouse hateful ideology” or exploit immigration laws before they enter the country [5]. A senior State Department official defended the move, stating that American citizens expect their government to maximize efforts to enhance national safety [2]. This follows a broader trend of increased scrutiny, as similar social media reviews have already been implemented for H-1B and student visa applicants earlier in the year [1].

Economic and Privacy Concerns

The proposal has elicited sharp criticism regarding its potential impact on civil liberties and the tourism economy. With the United States, Canada, and Mexico set to host the FIFA World Cup in the summer of 2026, industry experts warn that these added administrative hurdles could deter international visitors [3]. Critics, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation, argue that such measures exacerbate civil liberties harms, while a formal opposition letter sent to congressional representatives described the plan as an “overreaching social media dragnet” lacking proven effectiveness [2][6]. The public has been invited to comment on these proposed changes for a 60-day period following the December 10 publication, after which the White House’s budget office must review the final implementation [3][4].

Sources

Border Security Visa Waiver