US Travel Becomes a New Minefield as Stricter ESTA Rules Demand Social Media, Phone Numbers, and Biometric Data from Visa Waiver Travelers in the UK, Greece, France, Germany, Norway, and More

Published on December 12, 2025

By: Rana Pratap

In a major change, US will now require travelers from 42 VWP countries, including the UK, Greece, France, Germany, and Norway, to provide social media profiles, phone numbers, and biometric data under stricter ESTA rules, aiming to improve security and better screen visitors. Starting soon, these travelers will face new and far-reaching regulations as part of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) process.

Previously, ESTA allowed travelers to visit the US for up to 90 days without a visa, requiring only basic information such as email addresses, parents’ names, and criminal history. However, the new rules, set to go into effect in 2024, will demand social media profiles, phone numbers used over the past five years, email addresses used over the last ten years, and biometric data, including fingerprints and iris scans, as part of the screening process. This expansion of data collection is part of the US government’s broader efforts to tighten security and ensure that visitors are thoroughly vetted before entering the country.

The implementation of these new rules follows increasing concerns over national security and digital surveillance, as well as the rise in device searches at US borders. As these changes roll out, millions of travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries will need to adapt to a more invasive process that could complicate their travel plans and raise serious questions about data privacy. This move marks a dramatic shift in US border control policies and has turned the once straightforward ESTA approval process into a much more complex and potentially contentious experience for many international visitors.

What Does the New ESTA Proposal Entail?

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) allows citizens from 42 countries to visit the US for up to 90 days without needing a traditional visa. This privilege, however, is about to be significantly impacted by new changes aimed at enhancing the US’s national security.

Currently, ESTA requires travelers to provide basic details, such as email addresses, parents’ names, and any criminal history. However, the new regulations set to be introduced by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will demand far more invasive data collection from travelers. Among the new requirements are:

• Social Media History: Travelers will now be required to submit their social media handles from the past five years, creating an exhaustive profile for security screenings.
• Phone Numbers: For the first time, phone numbers used in the last five years will be asked of all travelers.
• Email Addresses: Visitors will need to provide email addresses they have used over the past ten years.
• Biometric Data: The new rules will also require biometric data, such as fingerprints, iris scans, and potentially DNA samples, which represents a major leap in data collection for ESTA.

A Far-Reaching Proposal That Could Reshape US Travel

The expanded data collection will go beyond social media handles, phone numbers, and email addresses. According to CBP, they are seeking “high-value data fields,” which could include metadata from photographs, detailed family information, and even the possibility of collecting more personal biometric data, including iris scans, fingerprints, and DNA.

The implementation of these changes would be the most significant update to ESTA since its introduction, with potentially far-reaching effects on millions of travelers. ESTA, which currently provides near-instant approval for travelers, could become a much more rigorous and invasive process, requiring more time and documentation to secure approval.

Who Will Be Affected?

Travelers from the 42 Visa Waiver Program countries will be required to comply with the new regulations. These countries include well-known tourist destinations like:

• United Kingdom
• Germany
• France
• Greece
• Norway
• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Netherlands
• Italy
• Sweden
• Spain
• South Korea
• Israel
• Japan
• Poland
• Singapore
• Finland
• Portugal
• Qatar
• Taiwan
• Luxembourg
• Monaco
• New Zealand
• Slovenia
• Slovakia
• Chile
• Czech Republic
• Liechtenstein
• Latvia
• Malta
• San Marino

This also includes travelers from countries such as Chile, Japan, Poland, and Taiwan, meaning the list of affected visitors covers major international hubs, global businesses, and significant tourist markets.

Why the Changes?

The new regulations stem from an executive order issued by President Donald Trump that mandates heightened security measures for travelers entering the US. This initiative, aimed at better screening individuals who may pose a national security threat, builds upon previous requirements introduced in 2016 when the social media question was first introduced for visa applicants.

Though the US already collects social media data from individuals applying for visas, the new ESTA requirements will extend these practices to travelers from VWP countries who previously faced fewer screening obstacles. These changes come at a time when the US government is ramping up its security measures and focusing on a more detailed assessment of travelers’ backgrounds before allowing them entry.

How Will These Changes Impact Travelers?

The new rule changes will not only introduce a deeper level of scrutiny but also create logistical delays. For travelers accustomed to the speed and convenience of ESTA’s near-instant approval, this new process may add additional layers of complexity, which could involve more time spent gathering personal information.

Those traveling to the US will be forced to provide highly detailed information, leading to concerns about data privacy. Some critics argue that such intrusive measures could lead to unintended consequences, including further complications for travelers or increased instances of travelers being denied entry due to incomplete or erroneous information.

Additionally, with the expansion of biometric data collection, questions may arise about how that data will be used and stored. While the intention is to enhance security and improve national safety, the scope of the data collection could lead to concerns about surveillance and privacy violations.

Public Feedback and Potential Implementation

The US government has opened the proposal to public feedback for 60 days, allowing the public to voice their concerns or suggest alterations to the proposed changes. After this period, the regulations could be finalized, and the stricter ESTA rules would go into effect.

If adopted, the proposed rules would undoubtedly change the way millions of travelers approach their trips to the United States. Whether these changes will improve security or prove to be overly invasive remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: US travel will never be the same.

Previously EU Issues Burner Phones to Officials in 2024 Amid Rising Concerns Over US Social Media and Device Searches

EU Burner Phone Initiative for US Travel (2024)

The 2024 Development:
In 2024, the European Commission took proactive measures in response to growing concerns over social media checks and device searches by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at US borders. To mitigate potential data privacy risks, certain EU officials were issued burner phones and basic laptops before traveling to the United States. This precautionary step aimed to protect sensitive information from the increasing scrutiny of digital devices by US authorities, a practice that had already been raising alarms in diplomatic circles.

Who Was Affected:
The directive primarily affected EU commissioners and senior officials, including those attending high-profile meetings with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank. Notable individuals included:

• Val Dombskis, the economy commissioner
• Maria Luís Albuquerque, head of financial services
• Jef Skela, head of development assistance

These officials were advised to use burner devices to shield their personal and professional data from potential scrutiny by US authorities, including detailed social media checks and invasive device searches.

Why This Was Necessary:
The EU’s decision to issue burner phones stemmed from increasing concerns over border detention and device searches. US border authorities, including CBP, had been conducting frequent checks of travelers’ electronic devices, including social media profiles and personal information. High-profile cases had raised concerns:

• Social media scrutiny had led to entry denials for European travelers with politically sensitive content related to the Trump administration.
• In one such case, French authorities reported that a researcher was barred from entry in March 2024 due to opinions expressed on US research policies.

The growing use of warrantless device searches at US borders, especially for non-citizens, meant that sensitive data on devices was at risk of being accessed or scrutinized. In 2024, CBP conducted over 47,000 device searches, with a large percentage targeting non-citizens, making it imperative for EU officials to adopt precautionary measures like the burner phones.

This initiative highlighted the increasing use of social media and device checks by US authorities as part of their efforts to bolster national security, with the EU responding to ensure that their officials were not exposed to unnecessary risks during their travels to the US.

Conclusion: A New Era for US Travel Security

The US Visa Waiver Program is about to undergo one of the most significant transformations in recent history. With the introduction of stricter ESTA rules, travelers from countries such as the UK, Greece, France, Germany, Norway, and many others will face more intensive scrutiny and data requirements before being allowed to travel to the US.

While the intention behind these new rules is to improve national security, travelers should be prepared for what could be a more complex and time-consuming process. As the proposal moves forward, it will be essential for travelers and the public to closely monitor how these changes impact international travel to the US in the coming years.