US entry rules could soon demand your emails, phone logs, and biometrics
Five years of posts, ten years of emails and full biometric data may become required for entry into the US
The US government has proposed new mandatory data requirements for travelers using the Visa Waiver Program's Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
The rules would significantly expand the amount of personal information collected from visitors before they enter the country.
The proposal, published in the Federal Register, is framed by US authorities as a step toward "protecting the USA from foreign terrorists and other national security and public safety threats" — a process that would affect citizens from 42 visa-waiver countries, including France, Japan, the UK, Germany, and Australia, according to DW.
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How it works: Under the proposed rules, ESTA applicants would need to provide several new categories of personal data:
- Five years of social media activity
Applicants must grant immigration and customs authorities access to five years of their social media history across major platforms, including X, Instagram, and TikTok.
- "High-value data fields"
Travelers would be required to submit:- All phone numbers used in the past five years
- All email addresses used in the past 10 years
- Biometric and family information
Applicants must provide their own biometric data, along with personal details about family members.
Why it matters: The proposal would represent one of the broadest data-collection expansions for visa-free entry into the US, affecting millions of travelers each year. Supporters argue the measures strengthen national security, while privacy advocates are likely to raise concerns about the scope of data required and how it will be stored or used.
