2016-06-29

Travelling to America? US border guards may require your Facebook and Twitter accounts before letting you in

The Department of Homeland Security has proposed that all travellers be asked to provide their social media details before entering the country
US border guards needs your social media data

America has proposed recording your social media accounts before letting you in

British travellers trying to enter the United States may soon have to provide Facebook and Twitter profiles as part of the process.

The US Department of Homeland Security has proposed social media vetting as an additional step for anyone seeking a visa or an Esta (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) .

Handing over the information will be optional - but many may feel obligated to provide it for fear of being refused entry.

Travellers will need to reveal which forms of social media they use and what their "identifier" (username or handle) is.

US border guards needs your social media data

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer checks the passport of a European tourist

If the proposal is successful, it will be added as an extra line in both the online and paper application for anyone wishing to stay in the US for up to 90 days.

According to the US Federal Register : "Collecting social media data will enhance the existing investigative process and provide DHS greater clarity and visibility to possible nefarious activity and connections by providing an additional tool set which analysts and investigators may use to better analyze and investigate the case."

US border guards needs your social media data

A Customs and Border Protection officer checks passports at the passport control booth

The proposal is currently under consultation and the US government is taking comments on it for the next 60 days. After which, it will decide whether or not to go ahead.

"Just as with any change in entry requirements, the DHS will need to balance security issues against the need to encourage people to visit their country," a spokesperson for the Association of British Travel Agents told the BBC .

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