Trump’s Social Media Crackdown: Travelers from 42 Countries May Face Mandatory Reviews
The Trump administration is pushing forward with a proposal that could require tourists from 42 countries, including Australia, France, and the UK, to hand over their social media handles before entering the United States. This move is part of a broader effort to clamp down on immigration and monitor the online activities of visitors.
Details
Under the proposal, visitors would be required to include their social media accounts when applying through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) system. This would involve submitting a list of their social media handles from the past five years, as well as additional information such as email addresses used over the last 10 years, phone numbers used in the past five years, and extensive family member information.
The proposal also calls for the collection of biometric data, which would be used to verify the identity of visitors. This move has raised concerns among civil liberties groups, who argue that it would infringe on the privacy rights of travelers.
Background
This proposal is part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to tighten immigration controls. In March, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services proposed reviewing the social media accounts of people applying for green cards, US citizenship, as well as asylum and refugee status. The State Department also started asking visa applicants to make their social media accounts public in June.
Public Comment Period
The public has 60 days to comment on the proposal, which has sparked widespread debate on social media. Critics argue that the proposal is an overreach of government power and would infringe on the rights of travelers. Supporters argue that it is necessary to ensure national security and prevent terrorism.
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