US social media rules for tourists could have chilling effect' on travel

"A group representing the United States travel and tourism industry has warned that a proposal to require millions of foreign visitors to provide social media handles used over the past five years could have a chilling effect on visits to the US. The US Travel Association issued its comments in a statement on Monday on the proposed change, which was announced in a US government notice last week and expected to take effect on February 8. It would require travellers from countries in the visa waiver programme to submit the social media data."

"One thing that isn't in question: this policy could have a chilling effect on travel to the United States. Applicants for immigrant and non-immigrant visas have been required to share that information since 2019. The administration of US President Donald Trump has taken a range of steps to tighten the vetting of foreigners entering the US. The requirement for additional information stemmed from a Trump executive order issued on January 20 calling for visitors to the US to be vetted and screened to the maximum degree, according to the notice published by US Customs and Border Protection."

"The visa waiver programme allows travellers from 42 countries, mostly in Europe, to visit the US for up to 90 days without a visa. They must complete an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) form, which under the change would require the submission of social media handles. The US would also require all email addresses used over the last 10 years and names, birth dates, residences and birthplaces of parents, siblings, children and spouses, said the notice, which is open for public comment for 60 days."

A proposed rule would require travellers from the 42-country visa waiver programme to provide social media handles used over the past five years and additional personal data. The change would add social media fields to the ESTA form and also require email addresses used in the last 10 years plus detailed family information. The requirement traces to a Trump executive order calling for maximum vetting and builds on existing visa data collection that began in 2019. The US Travel Association warns the policy could chill travel and divert billions in visitor spending. The notice is open for 60 days of public comment and expected to take effect on February 8.

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