New Delhi, Dec 11: The United States may soon require travellers from 42 visa-waiver countries to provide five years of their social media history as part of heightened security screening measures. The proposal, published by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), seeks additional personal data from visitors entering the country under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
Expanded Data Requirements Under Proposed Rules
According to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the new requirements include:
- Five years of social media account information
- Ten years of email addresses used
- Personal details of immediate family members, including phone numbers and residential addresses
- Potential submission of other “high-value data”, including DNA and birth-related information of certain family members
CBP clarified that applicants who choose not to answer the social media question, or who do not maintain social media accounts, can still submit their ESTA forms without facing negative inference.
Who Will Be Affected?
The rules will apply to citizens of 42 countries under the US Visa Waiver Program. These include:
- European nations such as the UK, France, and Germany
- Key US allies including Australia, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea
The visa waiver allows citizens of these countries to visit the US for up to 90 days for tourism or business without a traditional visa, though ESTA approval is still mandatory.
Indians Not Affected
India is not part of the US Visa Waiver Program or ESTA system. Therefore, Indian travellers will not be impacted by these proposed changes.
Security Context
The move aligns with an executive order by President Donald Trump, aimed at strengthening national security and preventing entry of individuals considered potential risks to public safety.
If implemented, the revised screening process would significantly expand the amount of personal information foreign visitors must disclose before entering the United States.
