Tourists planning to visit the US may soon be required to provide social media history under a proposed measure filed by Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security.

If approved, the said requirement would apply to citizens of some 40 countries, including Australia, France, Ireland, the UK, and Japan, who currently use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Visitors from visa-waiver countries would have to submit five years of social media history as a condition of entry.

The move comes as part of US President Donald Trump’s drive to toughen border controls since returning to the White House, citing national security and public safety.

In addition to social media info, applicants could be required to provide five years of telephone numbers, 10 years of email addresses, and additional family information.

Digital-rights groups are warning that the plan could pose privacy and civil liberties risks, while immigration experts say travelers may face longer ESTA approval times. At the same time, travel market experts argue that Trump administration measures have taken a toll on international tourist arrivals.

The proposal comes as the US prepares for a surge in tourism ahead of the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The US already conducts social media vetting for student visas, H1B visas, and other applicants; failure to list social media accounts can lead to visa denial.