US Considers New Policy: Australian Tourists May Need to Share 5 Years of Social Media History for Entry

Share this @internewscast.com

The Trump administration plans to require visa-exempt foreign tourists to disclose their social media history from the past five years before entering the country, according to an official notice.

The proposal laid out in a notice published on Tuesday in the Federal Register would apply to visitors from 42 countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Australia and Japan, who do not need a visa to enter the United States.

Currently, those travellers only need to apply for a waiver known as the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA), which still requires them to provide certain personal details.

Liberal senator James Paterson said people might delete negative social media posts about US President Donald Trump before arriving.

In a recent interview with Sky News, a spokesperson emphasized the autonomy of immigration policies, highlighting that such decisions are the prerogative of individual nations. “The immigration policies of the United States government really are a matter for the United States, just as Australia’s immigration policy is a matter for us,” the spokesperson stated, underscoring the importance of respecting national sovereignty in policy-making.

“It’s not up to me to tell the US government what they can and can’t do when they screen visa applicants,” Paterson said.

Under the proposed new rules, the collection of social media data would become a “mandatory” part of ESTA applications.

Applicants would need to provide their social media histories from the last five years, according to the notice.

As part of tightening security measures, individuals seeking entry may be required to provide extensive personal information. This includes submitting phone numbers used over the last five years and email addresses from the past decade. Additionally, applicants might need to disclose personal details of family members and provide biometric data. These requirements aim to enhance the screening process and ensure comprehensive background checks are in place.

The public has 60 days to comment on the proposal.

The Trump administration has tightened restrictions on entry into the US, part of a sweeping crackdown on migration.

Along with Mexico and Canada, the country will host the 2026 World Cup, which is certain to attract large numbers of football fans from across the world.