Overview
- The DHS/CBP proposal would make five years of social‑media identifiers a required element of ESTA applications for Visa Waiver Program travelers.
- Applicants would also be asked for phone numbers from the past five years, email addresses from the past ten years, and detailed information about family members, with some reports noting potential biometric data collection.
- The 60‑day public comment window that opened in December has concluded, and the rule is not yet in force as CBP considers revisions with no implementation date set.
- German officials said they are closely monitoring the U.S. plans, and the federal data protection commissioner voiced concern about the scope and privacy implications.
- Key operational details remain unclear, including whether only account names will be required rather than login access, and CBP has also proposed shifting ESTA submissions to a mandatory mobile app.