Australians visiting the United States may soon be required to hand over five years of social media history under major changes proposed to America’s visa-waiver program.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has urged Australians to be alert to strict U.S. entry conditions, saying border officials already have broad powers to inspect devices and online accounts.
The department pointed to existing Smartraveller guidance, warning that refusing access can result in denial of entry.
“Australians should check U.S. entry, registration, transit and exit requirements, and ensure they understand all relevant terms and conditions before attempting to enter the United States,” a DFAT spokesperson told The Epoch Times.
The warning comes as the Trump administration moves to overhaul the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA), which millions of visitors rely on each year.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has published draft amendments that would significantly expand the personal information collected from applicants across 42 eligible countries.
Under the proposed rules, social media details would no longer be optional.
“CBP is adding social media as a mandatory data element for an ESTA application,” the memo states.
“The data element will require ESTA applicants to provide their social media from the last five years.”
Travellers would also need to disclose five years of phone numbers used by themselves and their families, along with ten years of email addresses.
The Trump administration has opened a 60-day public comment period before finalising the reforms.
Most Australian travellers to the U.S. use ESTA because it offers a faster and cheaper alternative to a visa, meaning the changes could have far-reaching implications for tourism and business travel.
CBP is also proposing to shut down the ESTA website, forcing all applicants to file requests exclusively through a mobile app.
“Currently, applicants can apply for an ESTA via the ESTA website or the ESTA mobile application,” CBP said.
DFAT Urges Caution
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Trump administration is entitled to introduce its proposal.“The United States, like Australia, is a sovereign nation. They have a right to set the rules which are there,” he told reporters on Dec. 11.
Opposition frontbencher James Paterson said the changes were ultimately a matter for the U.S.
“Some of this is not new. It’s standard information,” he told Sky News.
“The immigration policies of the United States government really are a matter for the United States, just as Australia’s immigration policy is a matter for us.”
