New US ESTA Rule Could Require Social Media History and Personal Details from Global Tourists—Is Your Privacy at Risk?

Published on December 11, 2025

The US has proposed new rules that will impact travelers from 40 countries, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Australia. The new border security policy requires social media history disclosure. The rule will affect tourists seeking ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) approval to enter the US.

What Is This New Proposal About?

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) suggested a new rule that could make people give a lot of personal information when they apply for their ESTA. You will need to provide the government with all the social media accounts you’ve used in the past five years and make your profiles public for review.Moreover it need five- to ten-year-old phone numbers, email addresses, and family member data.

This sweeping proposal is linked to an executive order issued by President Trump in 2017, titled “Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.The objective is obvious: to improve traveler screening in order to fortify US borders and lower security risks.

Who Will the New Rule Effect?

Travelers from 40 nations, including the UK, France, Germany, and Italy, will be affected. Moreover, Japan and Australia will face these changes. However, citizens from Canada and Mexico, major US travel sources, are exempt. This exemption exists because they don’t require ESTA approval. Nonetheless, nationals from many other countries must comply with the new requirements.

Why is the US Government Pushing for This Change?

This proposal stems from the US government’s national security agenda. The US has concentrated on reviewing past immigration laws and tightening borders. President Trump’s executive order authorizes the government to monitor foreign nationals entering the country online. This policy intensifies global traveler scrutiny.

How Will This Impact Global Travelers and Tourism?

The social media requirement may slow the ESTA process, increasing wait times and bureaucracy. The current ESTA application costs $40 and allows stays up to 90 days, but the new rules could increase enforcement costs and require thousands of man-hours to review applications.

The proposed rule may deter tourists, especially online privacy advocates, say experts. Reports say that tourists, especially those from Australia, are thinking twice about going to the US. Some call the new measures “horrifying,” citing privacy concerns.

Could This Lead to a Decline in US Tourism?

Despite growing concerns, the US government seems confident that the proposed rule will not hurt tourism. President Trump has stated that he is “not concerned” about the potential drop in visitors, claiming that the US is doing well in terms of both security and tourism growth. However, not everyone may share this view, especially travelers who feel uneasy about foreign governments scrutinising their social media profiles.

The tourism industry is already seeing shifts. As the US faces a slight dip in visitor numbers, down 3% as of August 2025 compared to the previous year, some analysts worry that the new rules could make the US even less attractive to potential visitors, particularly those from Europe.

What Happens Next?

For now, the proposal remains in the discussion phase, and no immediate changes to the ESTA process have been made. However, CBP officials say the rule is still being discussed and not finalized. This is only the first step toward creating a policy aimed at enhancing security at US borders. If enacted, these regulations will change the travel landscape. They’ll streamline immigration and inspections.

The broader question remains: Will these new requirements help ensure safety, or will they have a negative impact on international tourism to the US? Only time will tell.

What This Means for Tourists and Privacy

Global travelers, especially Europeans, worry about the US’s proposed social media disclosure rule. It could increase immigration scrutiny. Travelers should monitor how the policy may affect their plans since it is new. Furthermore, the national security and privacy rights are becoming increasingly contentious in international travel.