UK Joins France, Germany, Japan, and the US in Facing Mandatory Social Media Screening for ESTA Applications – What This Means for International Travelers!

The U.S. Travel Association and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have recently revealed significant changes to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), a program that enables travelers from countries in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), such as the UK, France, Japan, and Germany, to enter the United States without a visa. The proposed changes, published by CBP on December 10, 2025, would make the disclosure of social media accounts mandatory for all VWP travelers, starting in 2026. This sweeping policy revision has raised concerns in the travel industry, with questions about privacy, security, and the potential economic impact on U.S. tourism.

The move is part of the U.S. government’s ongoing efforts to enhance national security and streamline border vetting procedures. Under the proposal, travelers applying for ESTA will be required to provide their social media handles used in the past five years. Previously, disclosing social media details was optional. In addition to social media, the U.S. plans to collect other personal data, including email addresses, phone numbers, and detailed family information, such as names, birthdates, and residences of immediate family members.

What’s at Stake for UK, France, Japan, and Germany Travelers?

The proposed changes are particularly impactful for visitors from countries with high tourism numbers, such as the UK, France, Japan, and Germany, who are major contributors to U.S. tourism. By introducing mandatory social media disclosure, the U.S. government aims to improve its screening process to help identify potential security risks.

As of 2025, 42 countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program, with travelers from these nations enjoying easier access to the U.S. for business and tourism purposes. However, this policy change raises critical questions about privacy and data security. Travelers from the UK, France, Japan, and Germany—who represent some of the largest source markets for U.S. tourism—will need to reconsider their digital privacy practices before visiting the U.S.

How the Proposal Works: What’s Changing for ESTA Applicants

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has proposed expanding data collection under the ESTA program. In addition to the social media handles, applicants would be required to submit:

• Email addresses used in the past 10 years.
• Phone numbers used in the past 5 years.
• Family details, including the names, birth dates, and residential addresses of parents, siblings, children, and spouses.
• Biometrics, including a mandatory selfie (facial image) via a mobile app, and, where possible, iris or fingerprint data.

One of the most significant changes involves the transition from the ESTA website to a mobile-only platform, which will require all travelers to use the ESTA mobile app to facilitate biometric verification. This marks a shift in how travelers will engage with the system and could create challenges for users unfamiliar with mobile technology.

Here’s a detailed table to explain the key factors related to the U.S. ESTA proposal, based on the information provided:

Key Factor	Description	Impact
Mandatory Social Media Disclosure	Travelers must disclose their social media handles used in the past 5 years as part of the ESTA application process.	This expands the U.S. government’s data collection, raising privacy concerns for travelers.
Expanded Data Collection	Additional data will be collected, including email addresses (past 10 years), phone numbers (past 5 years), and family details.	Provides a more comprehensive profile of each traveler for national security vetting.
Biometrics Requirement	Travelers will need to provide a facial image (selfie) via mobile app, and, where feasible, iris or fingerprint data.	Enhances security by verifying traveler identities but raises concerns over data privacy.
Mobile-Only Transition	The ESTA website will be decommissioned, and all travelers must use the ESTA mobile app for biometric verification.	Increases reliance on mobile technology, possibly excluding travelers unfamiliar with apps.
Executive Order 14161 Compliance	The changes are aligned with the U.S. Executive Order 14161, mandating enhanced vetting and screening of international travelers.	Aims to improve national security by increasing data collection but may discourage travel.
Privacy and Security Concerns	The U.S. Travel Association has expressed concerns about the privacy implications of mandatory social media disclosure.	Could deter legitimate travelers from visiting the U.S., impacting tourism and business.
Chilling Effect on Travel	The U.S. Travel Association warns that these new requirements could negatively impact international tourism.	Potentially reduces travel from key source markets, such as the UK, France, Germany, and Japan.
Economic Impact	Millions of international visitors contribute billions to the U.S. economy, and concerns are raised about losing that revenue.	Loss of international visitors could weaken the U.S. economy, especially around major events.
Public Comment Period	The proposal is open for public comments until February 9, 2026, allowing stakeholders to voice concerns.	The feedback could influence the final decision on implementing the rules.
Impact on Major Events (e.g., 2026 FIFA World Cup)	The timing of the proposal raises concerns about its impact on international visitors for events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup.	Potential to discourage travel to the U.S. for large events, affecting tourism-related revenues.

This table summarizes the key elements of the proposed changes to the ESTA application process, highlighting the data collection, biometric requirements, privacy concerns, and potential impact on international travel and the U.S. economy.

Why the Change Is Happening: Security vs. Privacy

The changes to ESTA are being driven by U.S. Executive Order 14161, issued on January 20, 2025, which mandates “vetting and screening to the maximum degree” to identify potential national security threats. The administration argues that this expanded data collection will help identify individuals who pose risks to U.S. security before they enter the country.

The primary justification for the inclusion of social media identifiers and additional data is to enhance the government’s ability to assess individuals’ security risks. While social media platforms can reveal valuable information about a person’s behavior and associations, critics worry that the expanded data collection could lead to privacy violations and unintended consequences.

U.S. Travel Association’s Response: Growing Concerns Over Privacy

On December 15, 2025, the U.S. Travel Association, a major advocate for the U.S. travel industry, issued a statement expressing significant concern over the proposed policy changes. The association warned that the mandatory social media disclosure could have a “chilling effect” on international travel.

The U.S. Travel Association emphasized that the policy might discourage legitimate travelers, including business leaders, academics, and tourists, from choosing the U.S. as a destination. This could have far-reaching consequences, particularly for the U.S. economy, as international visitors spend billions of dollars annually. The association expressed concern that travelers could choose alternative destinations with less stringent privacy requirements, potentially weakening the U.S. tourism sector.

Privacy Issues: How Will the Data Be Used?

The travel industry is also calling for more clarity on how the data collected through ESTA will be used. Although the government has emphasized that the data will be used for security purposes, travelers are left with legitimate concerns about how their private information will be handled and whether it could be exposed or misused. Without clear guidelines on data protection and privacy safeguards, these concerns are likely to grow as the proposal moves through the regulatory process.

Economic Risks: Impact on Upcoming Major Events

The timing of the policy proposal also raises concerns about its impact on major international events, such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The global sporting event is expected to attract millions of international visitors, including tourists from countries like the UK, France, and Japan. The U.S. Travel Association has warned that these new screening requirements could deter travelers from coming to the U.S. for such events, potentially damaging the local economies that depend on tourism-related spending.

What’s Next? Public Comment Period and Implementation

The public comment period for the proposed changes is currently open, and travelers, industry professionals, and other stakeholders are encouraged to submit their feedback. The comment period will close on February 9, 2026, after which the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will review the feedback before finalizing the rules. If approved, the new ESTA rules are expected to go into effect shortly after the comment period ends, with phased implementation potentially starting as soon as February 8, 2026.

Additional Rules Impacting International Travelers

This proposal follows a related rule issued by the State Department on December 15, 2025, which requires all H-1B (skilled worker) and student visa applicants to set their social media profiles to “public” for mandatory review by consular officers. This marks the latest move by U.S. authorities to implement stricter screening measures for foreign nationals seeking to enter the country.

Conclusion: A Delicate Balance Between Security and Privacy

As the U.S. government moves forward with these changes, travelers and industry experts are left grappling with the balance between ensuring national security and protecting individual privacy. The proposed expansion of social media screening for ESTA applicants is just one example of how security measures are evolving in response to modern threats. However, the potential economic and privacy implications could pose serious challenges for the U.S. tourism industry, particularly if travelers choose alternative destinations due to these new requirements.

The next few months will be critical for stakeholders to express their concerns and for the U.S. government to clarify how the expanded data collection will be used. For now, international travelers, especially those from the UK, France, Japan, and Germany, will need to stay informed as the regulatory process unfolds.

The post UK Joins France, Germany, Japan, and the US in Facing Mandatory Social Media Screening for ESTA Applications – What This Means for International Travelers! appeared first on Travel And Tour World.