Overview
- The Federal Register notice would require ESTA applicants from 42 Visa Waiver Program countries to list social media identifiers from the past five years.
- CBP also proposes collecting additional "high‑value" data, including phone numbers and email addresses from recent years and detailed information on close relatives.
- The social media question on ESTA has been optional since 2016, but the new proposal would make disclosure mandatory once finalized.
- Public comments are due by February 9, 2026, and the changes are not yet in effect.
- Officials frame the move as part of broader vetting expansions under Executive Order 14161, as travel industry groups warn stricter screening could deter visitors and dent tourism.