Travel to the United States under scrutiny: social media becomes part of the authorisation process

From 2026, the United States may require travellers from visa-waiver countries to provide five years of social media history and additional personal data through ESTA. Find out what is really changing and how to prepare for your next trip to the USA.

NEWS

Rebecca P. & Raffaele F.

12/13/20253 min read

USA, new rules for tourists: sharing five years of social media activity could soon become mandatory to enter the country

Planning a trip to the United States has always been synonymous with freedom, wide open spaces and the American dream. However, in the coming months, access to the country could become far more complex, especially from a digital point of view. A new proposal from the US government is sparking debate: to enter the USA, tourists may have to disclose their social media history from the past five years.

The measure, currently under review, concerns the ESTA programme — the Electronic System for Travel Authorization — used by millions of travellers every year to enter the United States without a visa.

From documents to social media profiles: what is changing

According to the proposal published by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), travellers from countries that are part of the Visa Waiver Programme may be required to provide:

Social media usernames used over the past five years
Email addresses, both active and inactive, used over the past ten years
Previous phone numbers
A recent selfie for identity verification
Information about close family members
Other data useful for advanced security checks

At present, providing social media profiles is optional and mainly applies to certain types of visa. The new proposal, however, would turn this practice into a standard requirement for those travelling for tourism or business.

Who would be affected by the new rule

The measure could affect citizens of more than 40 countries, including Italy, France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, Japan and Australia.

In practical terms, anyone travelling to the USA without a visa for stays of less than 90 days could have to undergo a preliminary digital assessment before even boarding the plane.

Why does the USA want our social media details?

According to US authorities, the main aim is to strengthen national security.

Analysing online activity could make it possible to identify potential suspicious behaviour, extremism, fraud or inconsistencies in the information provided in advance.

However, the issue is highly controversial. Digital rights organisations and numerous privacy experts point out that this practice could:

Limit freedom of expression
Discourage international tourism
Penalise those who use social media in an ironic or informal way
Create discrimination based on content interpreted out of context

Security vs privacy: the debate is open

The most delicate issue concerns privacy. Making years of digital life accessible raises important questions:

Who will analyse this data?

How long will it be stored?

Could it be used for other purposes in the future?

Many travellers fear that entry to the United States could turn into a form of compulsory digital profiling — a concept that, until just a few years ago, seemed far removed from traditional tourism.

When will it come into force, if it does?

At the moment, the proposal is not yet final. A public consultation phase is under way and only after the comments have been reviewed will the government decide whether to approve it, amend it or shelve it.

If confirmed, the new procedure could come into force between 2025 and 2026, with a significant impact on major international events hosted in the USA, such as trade fairs, conferences and global sporting competitions.

What travellers can do right now

If you are thinking of visiting the United States in the coming years, here are a few practical tips:

Review your current and past social media profiles
Recover old usernames you may have forgotten
Keep your personal details and online presence consistent
Follow official updates from the US Department of State
Plan your ESTA application further in advance

Being informed will become an essential part of the travel experience.

The future of tourism is digital

This potential development marks a significant turning point: travelling will no longer simply mean having a valid passport, but also a digital identity that is “readable” by the authorities. The United States is not the only country moving in this direction, but it is certainly one of the most influential.

For those who love travelling, storytelling and sharing the world online, there is only one question:

How much of our digital life are we willing to show in order to cross a border?

Travel informed, not at the last minute!

Entry rules change, destinations evolve and the way we travel is constantly being transformed.

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Travel to the United States under scrutiny: social media becomes part of the authorisation process

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