Expanding Border Security: DNA and Social Media History to Be Collected from Travellers

Published on December 14, 2025

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are currently reviewing a proposal that could significantly alter how international visitors enter the United States. If approved, the plan would require visitors to provide more personal information than ever before, including social media history from the past five years and, potentially, their DNA. This proposal, outlined in a recent Federal Register notice (OMB Control Number 1651‑0111), has sparked concerns among both privacy advocates and the travel industry, raising questions about the future of international travel to the US.

Expanding Data Requirements for ESTA Applicants

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which currently allows visa-waiver travelers from select countries to visit the U.S. without a visa, could soon include more invasive data fields. The new proposal adds several “high-value data fields” to the ESTA application process, alongside the usual requirements such as passport details. These new fields would ask for more extensive personal information, including social media account identifiers used in the past five years.

Moreover, visitors may be required to disclose their phone numbers, email addresses, and even IP addresses used over the last five to ten years. Additional personal data, such as the names, birth dates, and places of birth of close family members (spouses, parents, children, siblings), may also be collected. These proposed data fields would go far beyond the standard requirements currently in place, offering a much deeper dive into travelers’ personal and professional lives.

DNA Collection and Biometric Data Expansion

One of the more controversial aspects of the proposal is the potential inclusion of DNA in the data collection process. While the Federal Register notice does not explicitly mention DNA, it does highlight the addition of more comprehensive biometric data, which could very well extend to DNA collection. Current biometric practices already include facial scans and fingerprinting, and the expansion could introduce iris scans as well. These updates are designed to improve identity verification at U.S. borders but may also raise concerns about privacy and data security for international visitors.

Biometrics, including face and fingerprint recognition, have become more common at U.S. entry points in recent years, and this proposal suggests extending these practices further to include more detailed and unique identifiers. The intention behind this expansion is to enhance border security and reduce fraud, but it also raises significant questions about the safety and privacy of such sensitive personal data.

Concerns Over Privacy and Travel Accessibility

The proposal has prompted concern among travel experts and industry leaders, who worry about the implications for international tourism. Leigh Barnes, President of Intrepid Travel for The Americas, has expressed reservations about the potential impact of the new data collection requirements. Barnes pointed out that increasing entry barriers could discourage international travelers, particularly those from countries that rely on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which includes most European nations and several others.

Travel agencies, airlines, and hospitality businesses, which depend heavily on international tourism, may also face significant challenges if the U.S. adopts these new measures. The tourism industry, already recovering from global disruptions, could experience a decline in international visitors if the proposal is seen as a deterrent to travel. Barnes warned that if travel becomes more complicated or invasive, many potential visitors might opt for destinations that appear more welcoming and less burdensome.

Public Comments and Ongoing Review

The proposed changes are currently under review and are open for public comment until February 2026. This public comment period is essential in determining whether the proposed measures will be implemented. According to the Federal Register, the feedback received during this time will be considered before any final decision is made.

If approved, the new requirements could significantly alter the way international visitors interact with U.S. border security. The introduction of new biometric data, along with social media history and potentially DNA, would set a precedent for other nations considering similar measures. However, concerns over privacy and the potential negative impact on international tourism will likely shape future discussions.

Navigating the Future of US Border Security

While U.S. authorities argue that these changes are necessary to strengthen border security and combat terrorism, the expansion of data collection raises significant privacy and travel accessibility concerns. The potential addition of DNA to the data collection process could spark a major shift in how international travelers approach entry into the United States.

The travel industry, as well as potential visitors, will be closely monitoring the developments surrounding this proposal. With public comment still underway, the final decision on the implementation of these new requirements is far from certain. As the US government continues to assess the implications of these changes, travellers may soon find themselves facing new and more stringent entry procedures.