Will Tourists Have to Share Their Social Media to Enter the United States Under Trump’s New Proposal?

If you are planning a trip to the United States, especially from a Visa Waiver Program country, you may have seen headlines suggesting that tourists could soon be required to hand over years of social media history just to enter the country. That headline is not clickbait. In December 2025, the federal government formally proposed a rule that would significantly expand the personal information many tourists must disclose before traveling to the U.S.

In plain terms, the Trump administration is proposing to require certain foreign visitors to submit up to five years of social media identifiers, along with extensive contact and family information, as a condition of entry. The proposal is not yet law, but it is far enough along that travelers, families, and employers should be paying attention.

This article explains what the proposal would require, who would be affected, why the administration says it is necessary, and what legal and privacy issues it raises. The goal is not to alarm, but to help people understand what is changing, what is not, and how to prepare realistically.

What is the Trump administration proposing for tourists’ social media disclosure?

In a notice published on December 10, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection proposed expanding the information required from travelers entering the United States under the Visa Waiver Program through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, commonly known as ESTA.

Under the proposal, applicants would be required to disclose social media usernames or handles used during the previous five years, email addresses used during the past ten years, and phone numbers used over the last five years. The rule would also require identifying information about immediate family members.

What matters most is not just the scope of the data, but the shift from optional to mandatory disclosure. Information that some travelers could previously decline to provide would become a condition of travel authorization.

Which travelers would be affected by this proposal?

The proposal primarily affects tourists and short-term business visitors from countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Program. These travelers currently enter the United States without applying for a traditional visa and may stay for up to ninety days.

The affected countries include long-standing U.S. allies such as the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan, and Australia. If finalized, millions of travelers each year would be required to comply with the expanded disclosure requirements as part of the ESTA process.

While the proposal is formally limited to Visa Waiver travelers, DHS has indicated that similar vetting methods may eventually be applied more broadly.

Is this rule already in effect?

No. As of late 2025, this is still a proposed rule. The government is required to accept and consider public comments before finalizing it. Travelers should rely on current ESTA guidance, not assumptions based on headlines.

Why does the administration say tourists’ social media is necessary?

The administration frames the proposal as a national security measure tied to enhanced vetting. According to DHS, social media identifiers can help flag potential risks that may not appear in criminal databases or traditional background checks.

Supporters argue that reviewing online identifiers allows authorities to cross-reference information, detect fraud, and identify potential security threats before travelers board planes bound for the United States.

Critics respond that the justification is broad and vague, while the data collection is sweeping and intrusive.

What privacy and civil liberties concerns have been raised?

Civil liberties groups warn that forcing travelers to disclose years of online expression can chill speech and association. Social media posts often lack context, and humor, sarcasm, or political commentary can be misunderstood.

There is also concern about how long the information is retained, who has access to it, and how decisions based on that data can be challenged. Border entry decisions are often opaque, and travelers denied entry may never receive a clear explanation.

What information would tourists actually have to provide?

The proposed rule requires more than listing a single profile. Travelers would need to disclose all social media identifiers used within the previous five years, along with email addresses and phone numbers covering longer time spans. Applicants would also need to provide detailed identifying information about immediate family members.

A practical detail many people are missing: the move to a mobile-only system

One largely overlooked detail in the fine print is the proposed shift away from the ESTA website itself. DHS has indicated an intention to eventually decommission the ESTA website and require all applications to be submitted through the ESTA mobile app.

For tech-savvy travelers, this may be an inconvenience. For older relatives visiting family, or for travelers who are not comfortable navigating mobile apps in English, this could be a real barrier. This is the kind of change that does not sound dramatic in a Federal Register notice, but creates very real friction for families planning visits.

How could this affect tourism and events like the 2026 World Cup?

Travel industry experts have raised concerns that expanded digital screening may discourage international visitors. That concern is especially relevant for large global events like the 2026 World Cup, which the United States will co-host.

Fans have expressed worry that unrelated social media activity could lead to heightened scrutiny or denial of entry. Even uncertainty about how posts will be interpreted can be enough to change travel plans.

What legal issues does this proposal raise?

Foreign nationals have limited constitutional protections at the border, but the proposal still raises significant legal questions. Critics argue the rule may be vulnerable under administrative law if DHS cannot justify the breadth of data collected or adequately address public comments.

There are also concerns about discrimination and bias, particularly if social media screening disproportionately affects travelers based on religion, nationality, or political beliefs. The lack of transparency in border screening decisions makes accountability difficult.

What should travelers do right now?

First, do not panic. If you have travel planned for early 2026, the current rules still apply.

Second, resist the urge to aggressively scrub your social media history. Sudden mass deletions right before travel can raise more questions than a quiet, boring online presence.

Finally, watch the calendar. The public comment period is expected to close in February 2026. If the rule is finalized, enforcement would likely begin later in 2026. If you have family planning to visit Lincoln this summer, for the holidays, or for major events, applying for ESTA sooner rather than later may help lock in the current requirements.

I see this issue affecting our community here in Lincoln in very real ways. We have a vibrant university, international employers, and families with relatives visiting from Europe and Asia. For many people, this proposal is not abstract policy. It is about whether a parent, aunt, or cousin can comfortably come visit.

FAQ: Common questions about social media screening for U.S. tourists

Will I have to provide five years of social media history to enter the U.S.?

Not yet. The requirement is still a proposal published in December 2025 and is not currently in effect.

Does this apply to U.S. citizens?

No. The proposal applies to foreign nationals using the Visa Waiver Program. U.S. citizens have a right to re-enter the country.

Can a joke or meme really get me denied entry?

Potentially. CBP has broad discretion, and context can be lost when posts are reviewed without nuance.

What happens if I refuse to provide social media information?

If the rule becomes mandatory, refusal could result in denial of ESTA authorization or entry.

Is this legal under international privacy laws?

The United States has broad authority over its borders, but the policy may conflict with privacy expectations in countries with strong data-protection regimes, creating diplomatic and legal tension.