What About US Asking 5 Years of Social Media Info for Visa?

The US government’s plan to request five years of social media information for visa applicants is intended to strengthen security screening and detect potential threats before granting entry. The idea is to identify extremist activity, verify identities, and prevent fraud.

However, it raises privacy and civil liberty concerns. Applicants may feel uncomfortable sharing personal online activity, and there is a risk of overreach or misinterpretation of social media content. It could also slow down the visa process and make applying more cumbersome, particularly for individuals with extensive online presence or professional social media activity.

In practice, this measure may help in national security screening but could also discourage legitimate travelers, increase administrative burdens, and raise questions about fairness and privacy protection.