Overview
- The Federal Register proposal would make social-media disclosure mandatory for ESTA applicants and expand required data to include 10 years of emails, recent phone numbers, immediate family contacts, IP data and photo metadata, with biometrics added when feasible.
- The measure targets travelers from 42 Visa Waiver Program nations such as the U.K., Germany, France, Australia, Japan and South Korea, shifting the previously optional social-media field to a requirement.
- CBP documents do not define what online content could trigger denial, and experts say the scale of screening would likely necessitate automated tools, raising unanswered questions about criteria, accuracy and data handling.
- Civil-liberties groups warn the plan chills free expression and enables ideological vetting, while travel industry voices predict deterred visits, processing delays and economic losses as the 2026 World Cup approaches.
- Reporting indicates a possible start date of February 8, 2026, though the timeline is not final and the rule could face delays or litigation, aligning with a broader shift toward continuous vetting and increased visa revocations reported this year.