US Might Require Tourists to Share 5 Years of Social Media History - Here’s What That Means for You

If you’re planning a trip to the U.S. anytime soon, there’s a new proposal you should know about, and it’s all about your social media.

American officials have introduced a plan that could ask foreign tourists to share five years of social media history before entering the country. Yep… your Instagram, your old tweets, that random Tumblr phase, potentially all on the table.

This proposal affects travelers from around 40 countries who currently enjoy visa-free entry through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), including the UK, Ireland, France, Japan, and Australia.

Why This Is Happening

Since returning to the office in January, President Donald Trump has been pushing for stricter border controls, framing the move around “national security.”

According to the administration, collecting social media histories is part of keeping “the wrong people” from entering the country.

With major global events coming up, the men’s 2026 FIFA World Cup (co-hosted with Canada and Mexico) and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the U.S. expects a massive surge in international visitors. Officials say the extra screening is about safety ahead of these events.

What Would ESTA Applicants Need to Provide?

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) filed the proposal in the Federal Register, outlining new data collection rules.

Under the plan, ESTA applicants may be required to provide:

• Social media usernames from the past 5 years

• Phone numbers used over the last 5 years

• Email addresses used over the last 10 years

• Additional family information you normally wouldn’t provide

The big change here is the social media requirement. The current ESTA form asks for basic travel info and costs $40; this proposal would substantially increase what applicants must share.

Why Experts Are Concerned

Digital rights advocates and immigration experts are raising red flags.

1. The Electronic Frontier Foundation says the move could create serious digital privacy and civil liberties issues, especially for travelers who use social media in politically sensitive regions.

2. Immigration law firms warn it may lead to longer wait times for ESTA approval, potentially complicating last-minute travel plans.

And if you think you can skip listing a certain account, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico has already warned that omitting social media handles on visa forms could result in visa denials now and in the future.

Not Just Tourists (U.S. Tourists Social Media History)

The proposal aligns with previous Trump-era policies that expanded social media screening for:

• Student visas

• H-1B skilled worker visas

• Dependents of visa applicants

  
  

Applicants are told their online profiles must be set to public for screening. Officers are instructed to identify individuals who support or engage in terrorism, national security threats, or unlawful anti-Semitic harassment or violence.

Will This Hurt U.S. Tourism?

Tourism analysts say the U.S. could feel the impact:

• The World Travel & Tourism Council recently projected that the U.S. would be the only one of 184 major economies expected to see a decline in international visitor spending in 2025.

• Canadian visitors, typically a huge portion of U.S. tourism, have already decreased for 10 straight months, partly due to political tensions.

  
  

Still, when asked whether this new policy could discourage travelers, President Trump responded:

“No. We’re doing so well… We want safety. We want security.”

What Happens Now?

Right now, nothing officially changes in U.S. tourists' social media history. CBP emphasized that this is not a final rule; it’s the first step in a 60-day public comment period. After that, the proposal could be revised, approved, or dropped entirely.

But for travelers, influencers, students, entrepreneurs, or anyone who’s ever posted something online (so… everyone), it’s worth keeping an eye on.

Because if the rule passes, your next U.S. trip might include sharing not just your passport, but also your digital past.