U.S. Visa Applicants Can Now Be Asked For Their Social Media History

Anyone applying for a United States visa can now be asked to provide their social media usernames from the past five years, after the Trump administration approved plans for increased vetting.

Applicants can also be asked for their email addresses, phone numbers, and 15 years of biographical information under the new measures, in a move first reported by Reuters.

A U.S. State Department official told Reuters the extra information can be requested when more “rigorous national security vetting” is needed.

The proposal received widespread criticism when it was first revealed, and more than 50 academic groups took aim at Trump’s administration, claiming the move will make it more difficult for students and researchers to come to the U.S.

Trump made immigration a key part of his campaign, and has attempted to implement a travel ban on people from six Muslim-majority countries on two occasions. However, the U.S. appeals court refused to reinstate the rule, labeling it discriminatory. Trump has also proposed to build a wall along the southern border of the country and make Mexico pay for it.

In April it was reported that visitors to America could be forced to hand over their social media passwords and phones, as part of the extreme measures proposed. It appears this level of intrusion has not yet been approved, but this latest news is a step in that direction.

At a time where we live so much of our lives via social media and the internet, it seems inevitable that the potential to have your privacy invaded at the border of the U.S. will put off many tourists and potential migrants in the years to come.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.