• US plans to ask visa-exempt tourists for five years of social media history.
• New rules apply to visitors from 42 countries eligible under the ESTA program.
• Additional personal data, including family details and biometrics, may also be required.
• The public has 60 days to comment on these proposed changes.
• This move is aimed at enhancing national security according to the Trump administration.

The Trump administration has unveiled a proposal requiring visa-exempt foreign tourists to disclose their social media history from the last five years before entering the United States. This new requirement will affect visitors from 42 countries who currently utilize the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which permits them to travel to the US without a visa for tourism or business for up to 90 days, according to BBC and Channel News Asia.

This proposed measure follows a broader trend of tightening immigration controls and monitoring of travelers. Tourists will now be required to submit not just social media histories but also previous telephone numbers and email addresses, along with biometric data and family information, as part of the ESTA application process. The public has a 60-day window to comment on the proposed changes before they become official, reports South China Morning Post and Al Jazeera.

Experts highlight that while the inclusion of social media data is not new, its mandatory collection marks a significant shift in the ESTA approval process. Since 2016, applicants have had the option to disclose social media accounts; however, the upcoming rules elevate this requirement to a compulsory status aimed at addressing national security concerns, as per guidelines established by an executive order signed by President Trump earlier in January, according to India Times and Los Angeles Times.

Critics have raised concerns over privacy implications and how such regulations may deter international tourism, indicating potential harm to digital rights while complicating the application process for many travelers. The push reflects an ongoing effort to enhance the vetting processes for all entrants to the US amid larger discussions surrounding border security and travel regulations, noted Le Monde and BBC.