What's happened
On December 10, 2025, US Customs and Border Protection proposed mandatory collection of five years of social media data, phone numbers, emails, and biometric information from travelers under the Visa Waiver Program. This expands existing social media screening to visa-exempt visitors from 42 countries, including the UK, France, Australia, Japan, and Israel, aiming to enhance national security ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Public comments are open for 60 days.
What's behind the headline?
Expanded Social Media Screening Reflects Heightened Security Focus
The proposed rule marks a significant expansion of social media scrutiny to millions of visa-exempt travelers, reflecting the US government's intensified focus on national security. By mandating disclosure of five years of social media history, along with extensive personal data and biometrics, authorities aim to identify potential threats earlier and more comprehensively.
Implications for Privacy and Travel
This policy will likely raise privacy concerns, as travelers must disclose detailed personal and family information, including biometric data. The requirement to provide social media handles without passwords allows review of publicly accessible content but may pressure users to make profiles public, as seen in visa applicants. This could chill free expression and complicate travel plans.
Timing and Political Context
The proposal arrives ahead of the 2026 World Cup hosted partly in the US, a major event expected to draw millions of visitors. It also follows a series of tightened immigration controls under the Trump administration, including increased visa fees and social media vetting for various visa categories.
Forecast
The 60-day public comment period will generate debate on balancing security and privacy. If implemented, the policy will increase scrutiny at US borders and may deter some travelers, potentially impacting tourism. The administration will likely defend the measure as essential for safety, while critics will highlight civil liberties concerns.
Impact on Travelers
Travelers from visa waiver countries must prepare for more invasive screening, potentially affecting travel behavior and perceptions of the US as a destination. The policy underscores the growing role of digital footprints in immigration enforcement.
What the papers say
The Times of Israel highlights the inclusion of Israel in the Visa Waiver Program and notes the proposal's timing ahead of the 2026 World Cup, emphasizing the mandatory nature of social media data collection. Al Jazeera provides detailed context on the executive order underpinning the proposal and explains the scope of data requested, including biometrics and family details, while noting the lack of clarity on what authorities seek in social media content. The New York Times outlines the expanded personal data requirements and situates the proposal within broader government efforts to vet visa applicants, also mentioning industry pushback against increased fees. The Guardian offers a critical perspective on the policy's potential to disrupt tourism and free speech, citing declines in US tourism and increased visa scrutiny under the Trump administration. Sky News reports on the biometric data collection plans and recounts instances of travelers denied entry over social media content, illustrating the policy's real-world enforcement. These sources collectively reveal a policy driven by national security concerns but fraught with privacy and civil liberties implications, with significant consequences for international travel and US global image.
How we got here
The US Visa Waiver Program allows citizens of 42 countries to visit the US for up to 90 days without a visa, using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Since 2016, social media disclosure was optional for these travelers, while non-visa waiver visitors have long been required to provide social media information. The Trump administration has intensified immigration and travel screening since January 2025, following an executive order targeting national security threats.
Go deeper
- Which countries are affected by the new social media screening rules?
- What personal data will travelers need to provide under the new proposal?
- How might this policy impact tourism and privacy rights?
Common question
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More on these topics
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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The United States Department of Homeland Security is the U.S. federal executive department responsible for public security, roughly comparable to the interior or home ministries of other countries.
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The Visa Waiver Program is a program of the U.S. federal government that allows nationals of specific countries to travel to the United States for tourism, business or while in transit for up to 90 days without having to obtain a visa.
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Customs and Border Protection may refer to:
Australian Customs and Border Protection Service
U.S. Customs and Border Protection