Want to visit US? Show us your social media history.

VincentHanna

VincentHanna

VincentHanna

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www.bbc.co.uk

US could ask tourists for five-year social media history before entry

The plan would affect people from countries, including the UK, who can fill out a form in lieu of a visa.
www.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk

Tourists from dozens of countries including the UK could be asked to provide a five-year social media history as a condition of entry to the United States, under a new proposal unveiled by American officials.

The new condition would affect people from dozens of countries who are eligible to visit the US for 90 days without a visa, as long as they have filled out an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) form.

Analysts say the new plan could pose an obstacle to potential visitors, or harm their digital rights.
The US expects a major influx of foreign tourists next year, as it hosts the men's football World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico, and for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

The proposal document was filed by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), of which the agency is part.

US media reported that it appeared in the Federal Register, which is the official journal of the US government.

It says "the data element will require ESTA applicants to provide their social media from the last 5 years", without giving further details of which specific information will be required.
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Very draconian don't you think? Particularly as they keep telling us that Europeans don't have freedom of speech now.
 
It is so laughably stupid.

Sure, some people have one email address and an account on every social media site attached to their real name, but a lot of people don't.

Are they really going to dig out who has provided the full list of their email addresses? I have certainly used and forgotten at least 10 email addresses in the last 5 years.

And of course, if someone is a dodgy character, they are hardly going to share their Twitter account where they routinely criticise the US.

Sounds like a bit of security theatre, a bit of pandering to the electorate, and a bit of people not really understanding how the internet works. Not much new there.
 
whitecrook said:
I don't do social media.
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I'd advise you not to go then, regardless of visa.

The situation now is you WILL be extensively questioned about why you are carrying a burner phone. They will NOT believe you don't have any social media accounts (and if you have a common name then you're screwed as someone with the same name WILL have accounts). You WILL be spending several hours while they decide whether to permit you entry - and that seems to largely depend on how many people that shift have denied entry to.

Its a ******** of a country anyway and has been for several decades....
 
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Vestas said:
I'd advise you not to go then, regardless of visa.

The situation now is you WILL be extensively questioned about why you are carrying a burner phone. They will NOT believe you don't have any social media accounts (and if you have a common name then you're screwed as someone with the same name WILL have accounts). You WILL be spending several hours while they decide whether to permit you entry - and that seems to largely depend on how many people that shift have denied entry to.

Its a ******** of a country anyway and has been for several decades....
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Bit harsh. Considering its size and diversity of climate, people and sheer numbers of things you can do it’s got to be one of the most incredible places to visit.

If I was really set on going, and i mean really (not on my dime, zero chance), well I’d setup my social media to be all pro-Trump, not say much or post but make sure feed was following to appropriate MAG content. Same with my partner. Whilst tactfully telling family and friends it’s all bs for US Immigration etc.

Then prep and practice a few talking points on USA Politics and such.

Probably get through being white, British.
 
Vestas said:
I'd advise you not to go then, regardless of visa.

The situation now is you WILL be extensively questioned about why you are carrying a burner phone. They will NOT believe you don't have any social media accounts (and if you have a common name then you're screwed as someone with the same name WILL have accounts). You WILL be spending several hours while they decide whether to permit you entry - and that seems to largely depend on how many people that shift have denied entry to.

Its a ******** of a country anyway and has been for several decades....
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ahh well. We'll see. Why would I have a burner phone ? I do my interneting old school on a laptop.
 
whitecrook said:
Why would I have a burner phone ?
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....because its "highly unlikely and suspicious that you have no social media accounts and this makes us believe that is not your main phone". That's from a transcript I obtained the last time I went there - and I do mean LAST TIME :)

I've never had a social media account; I travelled there on business related to a USA arms company; I have a security clearance which would be visible to them & one of my ancestors invented their most popular game. Oh and I'm white - gods help you if you're not!

Follow Nancy Reagan's advice - just say no (to a USA trip) :D
 
Vestas said:
....because its "highly unlikely and suspicious that you have no social media accounts and this makes us believe that is not your main phone". That's from a transcript I obtained the last time I went there - and I do mean LAST TIME :)
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oh right. What on earth will they make of it when I don't have a phone ? I never took phone to US last time I went.
 
Glanza said:
Haven't they been doing this for over a year now anyway?
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Yeah, providing it is 'optional' - I don't have any social media account other than an ancient facebook account that I only use for a fishing syndicate.

I go to the US every few months and I've never been asked, checked or whatever (apart from the time an Airline screwed up my name and details)

I don't exactly know how they make it 'mandatory' in that you MUST provide your social media, they'd have to stop you - take you to secondary interview, go through all your stuff to pull your details - don't really see them doing that at scale, but who knows..
 
Felon said:
Yeah, providing it is 'optional' - I don't have any social media account other than an ancient facebook account that I only use for a fishing syndicate.

I go to the US every few months and I've never been asked, checked or whatever (apart from the time an Airline screwed up my name and details)

I don't exactly know how they make it 'mandatory' in that you MUST provide your social media, they'd have to stop you - take you to secondary interview, go through all your stuff to pull your details - don't really see them doing that at scale, but who knows..
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Your username is ironic in this thread. :cry:
 
Felon said:
I don't exactly know how they make it 'mandatory' in that you MUST provide your social media, they'd have to stop you - take you to secondary interview
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Oh its not mandatory. You can wait to be interviewed or not interviewed. Possibly just long enough to miss your next flight. That's enough for most people.

Edit - somewhat ironically (due to posts?) I'm now Frank, who is black and smuggles drugs :D
 
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so meta / google / Musk / chinese /linkedin, the social media dwarfs, will complicitly enable them to access the accounts you name to generate an AI biography;
plus all the burner email accounts you must list for last 10, was it, years - probably 40 or so if I can remember them.

it sounds just like uk govt wanting to eavesdrop on any secure Apple communications - we need encrypted social media comms.
 
Will I not be allowed in then as I have been criticizing there gun laws on social media? :D jeez its all rather ridiculous this hopefully people boycott the USA if it gets put in.
 
The line where I would not travel to the US was crossed some time ago, this has not changed my mind. Was meant to be in vegas for a conference last week but told boss I’m not going to the US as long as the temu tyrants are in charge.
 
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