U.S. border authorities are pushing for new powers that would require visitors to grant access to five years of their social media activity upon arrival, the Department of Homeland Security said Wednesday.
The 11-page proposal has been published in the Federal Register for a public comment period of 60 days and is not yet legally binding. The requirement would apply to platforms such as TikTok, X and Instagram.
All tourists entering the country through the automated Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will be affected. ESTA facilitates visa-free travel from more than 40 countries, allowing stays of up to 90 days.
The department said it was instituting the new procedure to comply with an executive order issued in January 2025 for "Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threat."
Mandatory social media checking is part of a larger package that will regulate data collection on those entering and leaving the country.
