Imagine planning your dream trip to the United States, Statue of Liberty selfies, a slice of New York cheesecake, maybe even a road trip through the Grand Canyon. But before you pack your bags… Uncle Sam wants to scroll your feed. Yep, that’s right: under a controversial new proposal from the Trump administration, visitors from 42 countries could soon be required to disclose five full years of social media activity before they’re even allowed to set foot on American soil.
What’s the Plan Stan
The new policy, floated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), would overhaul the way short-term visitors from visa-exempt countries apply to travel. Citizens from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries, including the UK, France, Germany, Australia, Japan, and more, currently fill out a quick online travel authorization (ESTA) form to visit the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa.
Under the proposed change, those same travelers would now be required to submit:
- Five years of social media history across all platforms (yes, even the cringey posts and that TikTok phase you regret)
- All phone numbers used in the last five years
- Any email address used in the last decade, even the embarrassing ones you abandoned
- Names, birthdates, and contact info for family members
- Potential biometric data, including a mandatory selfie via a future mobile app
And to be clear, this isn’t a “we’ll check it at the airport” kind of deal, this would all be part of the online application before you even book your ticket.
Why Now?
Officials say this isn’t about stalking your brunch photos or judging your Spotify Wrapped. CBP argues the goal is to enhance national security by identifying potential threats before they depart for the U.S. Social media vetting has already been required for many visa applicants; this proposal simply extends similar scrutiny to millions of tourists who previously didn’t need to undergo such screening.
Not Just Social Media, It’s a Full Data Buffet
Critics say the policy is far more invasive than it appears. Making social media disclosure mandatory would dramatically expand the amount of personal information the U.S. collects from foreign travelers. And that’s just the beginning.
Reports indicate that in the future, travelers could also be required to submit IP addresses, metadata from photos, and expanded biometric information. What used to be a simple online form could soon feel like a digital background check, or a confusing scavenger hunt through every corner of your online life.
What Tour Operators and Travelers are Saying
Travel industry groups aren’t thrilled. Many warn that the requirement could discourage tourism at a time when the U.S. is gearing up for major international events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Tour operators in Europe have already expressed concerns that soccer fans may avoid traveling altogether rather than undergo an extensive social media screening.
Irish travel groups have even warned fans that these checks could disrupt or derail plans to attend World Cup matches in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. And with international tourism already facing hurdles from long wait times, higher fees, and stricter visa processes, many in the industry fear this could tip travelers toward easier destinations, ones that don’t require a deep dive into their digital past.
Advocates and Liberties Groups Push Back
Unsurprisingly, privacy advocates are waving red flags. They argue the requirement is overly intrusive, disproportionate, and likely to chill free expression. If people know that the U.S. government might review their posts one day, what are the odds they’ll still feel free to speak openly online?
Civil liberties groups also highlight that such a policy risks normalizing intense government scrutiny of everyday online behavior, something more commonly associated with authoritarian regimes, not international tourism.
Others worry about the potential for misinterpretation. A sarcastic tweet, a meme taken out of context, or a political joke could flag an applicant unfairly. And because social media algorithms vary across countries, cultures, and languages, critics say there’s a real risk of errors, bias, and inconsistent decisions.
The Politics Behind the Policy
The proposal fits into a broader pattern of tighter border controls and expanded data collection under the Trump administration. From travel bans to enhanced biometric screening, the administration has consistently pushed for more information, more vetting, and more scrutiny of foreign nationals, even those from close allies.
Supporters argue this is simply the reality of modern security: threats evolve, and so must screening methods. Detractors argue the plan is intrusive, diplomatically risky, and out of touch with privacy norms in the countries it affects most directly.
The proposal also arrives at a politically complicated moment. Many VWP countries have strong privacy protections and may push back, or even introduce reciprocal requirements for American travelers.
What's Next
At this stage, the policy is not yet in effect. After being published in the Federal Register, it entered a 60-day public comment period, meaning the public, advocacy groups, travel industries, and foreign governments all have the chance to weigh in.
If the proposal is finalized, the new requirements could roll out as early as next year, right in time for the global rush of World Cup travelers. Tourism experts warn that this timing could be messy, and that the rollout might create confusion and delays unless implemented carefully.
So… Should You Worry?
If you’re planning a trip to the U.S., nothing changes yet. You can still apply for an ESTA without turning over your entire online history.
But the proposal signals a new era of digital transparency at the border, and perhaps the beginning of a world where your vacation plans depend on the contents of your Twitter archive.
For now, the best advice might be this: if you’ve got posts you wouldn’t want a border agent reading… maybe now’s the time to scroll back and clean up 2016.
Just in case.
