US Proposes Mandatory Five-Year Social Media Disclosure for Visa-Free Travellers Under Expanded Security Measures

The United States government has proposed sweeping changes to its Visa Waiver Programme that could significantly alter the entry requirements for millions of travellers from around the world. Under new guidelines announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), individuals seeking authorisation to travel to the U.S. through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will be required to provide their social media history covering the past five years. The proposal marks one of the most extensive expansions of digital-identity screening ever introduced in U.S. immigration policy.

The DHS outlined the plan in a public notice released on Wednesday ahead of its formal publication in the Federal Register. According to the notice, the new rule is part of a broader government mandate to enhance national security and detect foreign threats more effectively. It aligns with Executive Order 14161, signed in January 2025, which calls for strengthened vetting procedures and increased scrutiny of travellers entering the United States.

At present, ESTA applicants may voluntarily provide their social media accounts, but the process is optional. The proposed changes would make the disclosure mandatory, with DHS stating that “the data element will require ESTA applicants to provide their social media from the last five years.” U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) argues that this requirement will help authorities verify identities, detect fraudulent applications, and identify potential security concerns with greater accuracy.

In addition to social media accounts, applicants would also be required to submit expanded personal information. Under the proposal, CBP plans to collect email addresses used within the last 10 years, phone numbers from the past five years, and IP address data. Metadata from applicant-submitted photographs will also be analysed. The revised guidelines introduce more detailed family information requirements and broaden the range of biometric data to include fingerprints, facial recognition scans, iris data, and, in some cases, DNA samples. DHS maintains that these measures align with updated federal biographical and biometric standards set earlier in 2025.

Another major feature of the proposal is the planned shift from the current web-based ESTA application portal to a mobile-app-only system. DHS has argued that a mobile platform will streamline application processing and allow for more efficient integration of biometric data.

The proposed changes apply to travellers from the 40 nations currently part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Programme. With over 14 million ESTA applications processed each year, the global implications could be substantial, potentially affecting tourism, business travel, and diplomatic movement.

The announcement has sparked diverse reactions. Some commentators—particularly supporters of stricter immigration controls—argue that expanded vetting is essential in an era of heightened security threats. They see the proposal as a logical step toward identifying individuals who may engage in violence or support extremist activity, including groups considered hostile to U.S. interests.

Others express concern that mandatory disclosure of social media history amounts to a significant invasion of privacy and raises questions about freedom of expression. Commentators worry that individuals may self-censor online activity—even lawful opinions—out of fear that posts could be misinterpreted by immigration authorities. Some observers also highlight the risk of political bias, arguing that the measure could deter people who publicly express disagreement with U.S. policies or leaders.

Still, others note that the policy targets only visa-waiver travellers and does not immediately change the requirements for countries like Nigeria that already require visas. However, some users pointed out that travellers applying for regular U.S. visas have, in fact, been required to disclose social media information since 2019—suggesting that the new rules simply extend an existing protocol to visa-free entrants.

The DHS is inviting public comment for 60 days following publication, after which the proposal may be modified or finalised. If implemented, the policy would represent one of the most comprehensive expansions of digital vetting procedures in the history of U.S. border security, reshaping global travel norms and setting a new benchmark for how governments evaluate identity in the digital age.