U.S. to inspect tourists social media history from past 5 years
People wait in the security check in line in Terminal 5 at JFK Airport on Aug. 29, 2025 in New York, New York.
Michael M. Santiago | Getty Images
The U.S. government is planning to introduce social media screenings for select tourists as part of heightened travel restrictions under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Tourists from countries such as Britain, Australia, France, and Japan will be required to disclose five years of their social media history when applying to visit the U.S., as stated in a notice released by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This proposal, which is open for public comments for 60 days, is subject to potential revisions before finalization.
Applicants from Visa Waiver Program countries can utilize the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for short visits to the U.S., with a $40 fee. The social media check will now be a mandatory component of the ESTA application.
Along with social media scrutiny, applicants will be required to provide additional information such as email addresses from the past decade, phone numbers used in the last five years, and details about family members. Moreover, applicants will need to submit “selfies” to enhance the screening process and verify their identity.
This initiative is part of a series of measures by Trump to restrict foreign travel following an incident near the White House involving a man from Afghanistan. The president has vowed to tighten immigration policies, including halting migration from certain countries.
Recently, the Trump administration announced an expansion of its travel ban to over 30 countries, further tightening restrictions on immigration. This move, initially revealed in June, initially blocked travel from 12 countries and limited access from seven others. Countries affected include Afghanistan, Somalia, Iran, and Haiti.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem justified the ban by emphasizing the need for stable governments in these countries to assist in vetting individuals seeking entry into the U.S.
As of now, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has not responded to CNBC’s request for comments.
